Sweden has announced it will end development aid to five countries, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Mozambique, Liberia and Bolivia, and redirect the funds to support Ukraine. As part of the shift, Sweden will also close its embassy in Zimbabwe.
The move follows earlier reductions, with Sweden having already cut aid to more than 10 countries since 2022.
Its annual development budget, currently around US$5.95 billion, is set for further reductions in 2026.
A statement released by the Embassy of Sweden in Harare on Friday, 05 December, reads:
“The Government of Sweden has decided to phase out Sweden’s Bilateral Development Cooperation Strategy with Zimbabwe in an orderly and responsible way by 31 August 2026.
“This decision was made within a broader context involving many difficult deliberations. The decision responds to Sweden’s wider foreign policy priorities, including emerging security and defence challenges in our neighbourhood.
“It is also connected to the implementation of the Swedish Government´s Reform Agenda for development cooperation, which aims to sharpen the focus of Sweden’s development cooperation and reduce the number of bilateral development cooperation strategies.
“Other countries that are affected in Africa include Liberia, Mozambique and Tanzania.
“The decision is not connected to any specific events or developments in Zimbabwe.
“Since the Embassy’s primary mission is closely linked to the Swedish development cooperation, the need for a permanent diplomatic presence has been reduced. The decision, therefore, also entails that the Swedish Embassy in Harare will close.
“Zimbabwe remains an important partner for Sweden. Our historic relations are strong and marked by strong people-to-people ties.
“These ties create opportunities for continued collaboration between actors in Sweden and in Zimbabwe, even if the form for these collaborations may change.
“The historic and diverse collaborations between our countries represent a stable base on which to build our continued partnership.
“Sweden seeks to have continued positive diplomatic relations with Zimbabwe with an increased focus on trade, investments and sustainable growth.
“The Swedish government particularly sees opportunities to continue our collaboration on sustainable mining, environment and climate and democracy and human rights.
“Sweden remains engaged through political dialogue and economic ties. Support to Zimbabwe also comes through Sweden’s contributions to the multilateral system and organisations working in the country, as well as through the EU’s development cooperation. Support can also come through Sweden’s thematic and regional development cooperation strategies.
“The Swedish Foreign Ministry, Business Sweden and other parts of Team Sweden will continue to support Swedish companies that are active in the Zimbabwe market.”
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