Sweden will gradually withdraw development assistance from Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Mozambique, Liberia, and Bolivia over the coming years, choosing to redirect the funds to strengthen support for Ukraine.
The move, confirmed on Friday by Benjamin Dousa, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, reflects a deliberate shift in Sweden’s international aid priorities amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Dousa stated, "Ukraine is Sweden's most important foreign policy and aid policy priority and therefore the government is going to increase aid to Ukraine to at least 10 billion crowns ($1.06 billion) in 2026." He explained the financial trade-off, saying, "There isn't a secret printing press for banknotes for aid purposes and the money has to come from somewhere."
The government did not provide a precise timeline for the phase-out but emphasized that it will be gradual. This approach is intended to give the affected nations enough time to adjust their budgets and seek alternative sources of assistance.
Officials said the reallocation will free more than 2 billion crowns over the next two years, which will be directed to Ukraine for critical projects, including rebuilding the country’s energy systems.
Since taking office in 2022, the Swedish government has already reduced aid to over ten countries, including Burkina Faso and Mali. In addition, the overall development and humanitarian aid budget is set to shrink from 56 billion crowns annually in recent years to 53 billion crowns a year for 2026–2028.
The government has also reprioritized part of this funding to cover the costs of immigration management and migrant repatriation.
Analysts note that Sweden has long been a leading contributor to international development, with its aid programs spanning Africa, Latin America, and beyond.
This latest decision signals a shift from traditional development goals toward urgent geopolitical priorities, emphasizing support for European security and humanitarian needs arising from the conflict in Ukraine.
While the affected countries may face a funding gap, Sweden insists that the phased approach will help them adapt to the new aid landscape. Dousa said, “The resources we free up will allow us to focus on urgent priorities in Ukraine while ensuring that the transition for other countries is manageable.” The announcement underscores Sweden’s evolving foreign policy approach and the growing influence of global crises on aid allocation decisions.
