Sweden ending development aid to Zimbabwe and three other African countries to support Ukraine

HARARE – Sweden is ending development assistance to five countries — Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Mozambique, Liberia and Bolivia — as it redirects its resources to funding Ukraine.

The move will also see Sweden close its embassy in Zimbabwe although they were keen to stress that the decision “is not related to any specific events or developments in Zimbabwe”.

International Development Minister Benjamin Dousa said Ukraine had become Sweden’s top foreign-policy priority.

“Ukraine is Sweden’s most important foreign policy and aid policy priority a-5nd therefore the government is going to increase aid to Ukraine to at least 10 billion crowns ($1.06 billion) in 2026,” Dousa said.

“There isn’t a secret printing press for banknotes for aid purposes and the money has to come from somewhere.”

Sweden has already scaled back aid to more than 10 countries since 2022, and its annual development budget — currently about US$5.95bn — is expected to be reduced again in 2026.