Section for Regional Development Cooperation

Sweden's regional development cooperation with Africa is managed by the Regional section at the Embassy in Addis Ababa. The current strategy covers the period 2022–2026 with a budget of SEK 4 625 million.

The purpose is to contribute to increased regional integration and strengthened capacity to meet cross-border challenges and opportunities at regional level. Thematic areas for Sweden's regional development cooperation with sub-Saharan Africa during the period 2022-2026 are:

• A better environment, strengthen biodiversity and its ecosystems, promote sustainable use of natural resources, reduced climate impact and strengthened resilience to environmental impact, climate change and natural disasters. Increase access to renewable energy and improve energy efficiency.
• Increase the respect for human rights, strengthen democracy and the rule of law including the reduce of corruption. Promote gender equality and empowerment for women and girls.
• Improve the capacity to deal with all dimensions of migration in a way that safeguards the rights of refugees and contributes to development and safe, orderly, and regulated migration.
• Promote an inclusive economic development through strengthening conditions for open and sustainable trade, as well as regional and continental economic integration and food security.
• Promote peaceful and inclusive societies through strengthening regional initiatives and capacity for sustainable peace.

The work is mainly done in collaboration with regional actors. The African Union and the Regional Economic Communities are the most prominent intergovernmental actors for regional cooperation and integration. The African Development Bank, specialized intergovernmental organizations and civil society organizations are also important partners.

The implementation is done in coordination with Sweden's bilateral development cooperation, global cooperation, and Sweden's regional strategy for sexual and reproductive health and rights. 

For more information about Strategy for Sweden’s regional development cooperation with Africa 2022–2026, please click here.

For more information about Sida's regional work in Africa, please click here.