By Gabriel Ameh
📍Abuja
Nigeria and Sweden have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with renewed focus on trade, innovation, and regional cooperation.
This followed a meeting between the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Nigeria, Anna Westerholm, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja on Monday.
This was contained in a statement signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja. On Tuesday, 17th March 2026
The statement reads: during the discussions, Ambassador Westerholm expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s hospitality since assuming office in August 2025 and commended the strong diplomatic relations between both countries. She reiterated Sweden’s readiness to deepen engagement in key sectors, particularly trade, investment, and strategic partnerships.
The Ambassador highlighted Sweden’s interest in supporting Nigeria’s green and digital transition, noting opportunities for collaboration in digital infrastructure, innovation, and technology development. She added that Sweden, as a technology-driven economy, is keen to partner with Nigeria to enhance digital connectivity and modern infrastructure.
Beyond technology, both countries explored potential cooperation in the energy sector and the creative industry. Ambassador Westerholm pointed to Nigeria’s global influence in Afrobeats and creative arts, stressing the potential for partnerships that combine Swedish expertise in music production with Nigeria’s vibrant creative economy.
She also disclosed that Sweden has upgraded its commercial footprint in Nigeria with the establishment of a Swedish Trade Office in Lagos, led by a government-appointed Trade Commissioner. The move, she said, builds on the momentum of previous high-level engagements, including the visit of the Swedish Crown Princess to Nigeria.
On the multilateral front, Sweden commended Nigeria’s role in supporting the international rules-based order and ongoing collaboration at the United Nations. Both sides also exchanged views on regional developments in West Africa, particularly the evolving security and political dynamics in the Sahel and within Economic Community of West African States.
In his remarks, Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and regional cooperation frameworks as critical tools for addressing security and governance challenges in the region. He emphasised Nigeria’s continued engagement with ECOWAS member states and partners in promoting stability and dialogue.
The Minister further highlighted the importance of economic integration through initiatives such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), noting that increased private sector participation is key to unlocking its full benefits.
Both countries agreed to sustain high-level engagements and explore new areas of cooperation to further deepen their longstanding partnership.
The visit of Sweden’s State Secretary to Nigeria next week is expected to advance these discussions.
