Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard on Africa Day

Your Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, friends! 

I am honoured to be here today. I thank you all for extending this invitation to me, and I thank Ambassador Ahmed for hosting us in this beautiful garden. It is a joy to celebrate Africa Day and to greet all of you on behalf of the Swedish Government. 

Africa Day reminds us not only of the importance of the unity and resilience of the countries of Africa, but also of the continent’s growing global role.

Dear Ambassadors,

We share longstanding political and cultural ties. We share many of the same goals: The prosperity of our peoples. A better future for our children. Justice and accountability. Stability and peace. 

To pursue our goals and values, we cooperate both bilaterally and as members of multilateral institutions – not least within the UN. A rules-based world order, with the UN Charter at its heart, is essential for global peace and prosperity. It is clearly in both Africa’s and Europe’s interest to retain such a rules-based order. 

We have plenty of evidence of how we can accomplish great things together. The Pact for the Future, negotiated last year, is just one recent example. The African Group and the EU secured an ambitious agreement with a commitment to a more inclusive and representative multilateral system. 

Because fundamental reforms are needed to ensure that key institutions of global governance reflect the realities of the 21st century. To restore trust in multilateralism and to revitalise international cooperation, the multilateral system must become more representative. 

The Swedish government is also committed to the Secretary General’s UN80 Initiative to reform the UN system. Sweden supports increased representation from the African continent in the Security Council. 

Dear Friends,

We are also trading partners. And as such, we strive to Unlock Trade and Investment for the Future, as it is framed by the theme of this year’s Africa Day in Sweden. 

A vibrant market economy, private sector development, entrepreneurship, trade and cutting red tape are key building blocks for growth. This is how we develop and create social and economic opportunities. It is no coincidence that Sweden – and now the EU – are focusing so much on competitiveness and on increasing trade with our partners. 

Likewise, the African Continental Free Trade Area is a bold and historic step towards a vision of a more prosperous, integrated and more globally influential continent. Swedish companies are eager to engage with African partners. Not just as investors, but as co-creators in areas such as green and digital transformation.

Building strong economic ties is not just good for business. Today, it is a matter of geopolitics and influence. 

And in an unstable world, Sweden and the EU will remain your stable partners. We are strong proponents of free trade and major development partners. Moreover, we will continue to take on responsibilities for the global financing of sustainable development. 

Sweden’s representation in Africa remains strong, and in the autumn of 2025, Sweden is opening a new embassy in Dakar.

During Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Minister Andreas Carlson’s visit to Nigeria last month, they inaugurated Business Sweden’s first Trade Commissioner’s office in West Africa, in Lagos. 

Recently, Swedfund has also opened a regional office in Abidjan. This is a testimony to our long-term commitment and partnership.

Your Excellencies,

Enhancing the partnership between the EU and Africa will be a shared priority as we approach the upcoming AU - EU Summit. I am confident after the rewarding and constructive dialogue that took place in Brussels last week when African and European Foreign Ministers and their representatives met. 

The EU and EU Member States remain Africa’s biggest trading partners, investors and development partners. 

The cooperation between African and Nordic countries is also highly valued. We truly appreciate our dialogue, which is built on trust, shared values and deep-rooted relations. I look forward to the Nordic-African Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Victoria Falls in October.

Finally, on behalf of the Swedish Government, I would like to convey our sincere gratitude for your friendship and for the open dialogue, which longstanding relations make possible. We are committed to working with you to build a fairer, greener and more secure world. 

Happy Africa Day!