Germany and Samoa have a long tradition of relations. Diplomatic relations were established in 1972 and are being nurtured by the German Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand.

Bilateral trade between Germany and Samoa is modest. According to Federal Statistical Office figures, Germany exported goods worth 515.000 euro to Samoa in 2023 and imported goods worth 239.000 euro from the country.

For the period from 2014 to 2020, the EU had at its disposal funds amounting to 20 million euro for development cooperation projects with Samoa as well as an additional 4.5 million euro to promote renewable energies. Germany supports the development of Samoa through its contributions to the “Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument” (NDICI) (until 2021 “European Development Fund” (EDF).

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) carries out various projects in the Pacific Island Region. The regional project Coping with Climate Change in the Pacific Island Region strengthened capacities for adapting to climate change by providing advisory services between 2009 and 2021. Samoa participated in the UN Climate Change Conference (COP23) in Bonn in 2017.

Samoa is a member of the Group of Friends on Climate and Security in the United Nations, founded by Germany and Nauru.

Germany is engaged in Samoa by promoting microprojects at municipal level. In 2020, 2021 and 2022 this support primarily took the form of projects to help tackle COVID‑19 by improving sanitary facilities and hygiene standards in schools, projects to prevent domestic violence, and a German film and cultural festival at a total of five schools.

Furthermore, Germany is helping the Samoan National Archives and Records Authority to build capacities for digitising and conserving historical materials and supports the joint exhibition “Oceania Digital” of the Übersee-Museum Bremen in cooperation with the National University of Samoa