Nigeria, Sweden Strengthen Ties on Trade, Tech, and West Africa Stability

By Ifeyinwa Ike

Nigeria and Sweden have reaffirmed their commitment to boosting trade, innovation, and regional cooperation, following a high-level meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.

Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, on Monday, hosted Sweden’s Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Anna Westerholm. Westerholm expressed Sweden’s gratitude for Nigeria’s hospitality since her arrival in August 2025 and highlighted strong bilateral goodwill.

She prioritized trade, investment, and partnerships, with Sweden eager to support Nigeria’s green and digital transitions through digital infrastructure, innovation, and technology.

Westerholm also flagged energy sector ties and cultural collaborations, especially in music production and Nigeria’s Afrobeats scene, blending Swedish expertise with local talent.

Sweden recently upgraded its presence with a Trade Office in Lagos, led by a government Trade Commissioner, building on the Swedish Crown Princess’s prior visit.

Politically, Westerholm praised Nigeria’s role in the rules-based global order and UN cooperation.

Discussions touched West African issues, including the Sahel, ECOWAS dynamics, and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), affirming Nigeria’s stabilizing influence.

Minister Tuggar stressed Nigeria’s focus on democratic institutions, ECOWAS engagement, and regional integration via the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS). He called for more private sector involvement to maximize benefits.

Both sides pledged ongoing consultations, with Sweden’s State Secretary due in Nigeria next week to advance ties.Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.