After 40 years of formal development cooperation,Uganda and Sweden are seeking to strengthen commercial relations and investment cooperation, with a renewed focus on protecting investors and expanding opportunities across key sectors of the economy.
Swedish Ambassador to Uganda Anna-Maria Olsson, accompanied by Lotta Segerström, Head of the Political and Commercial Section at the Swedish Embassy, held an engagement with the Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), Col. Edith Nakalema, at the unit’s offices.
Nakalema reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to protecting Swedish investments and ensuring that investor concerns are addressed promptly to create a more conducive business environment.
She highlighted agro-processing, renewable energy, manufacturing, technology and tourism as some of the sectors offering opportunities for increased cooperation between the two countries.
Nakalema said SHIPU plays an important role in ensuring that investors receive the necessary support when they encounter administrative or institutional challenges.
“SHIPU serves as a protective shield for all investors against unwarranted delays that frustrate capital investment,” she said.
“For me and my government, it is a very strong priority to increase trade and business between our countries,” Olsson said.
Olsson said Swedish companies have operated in Uganda for years and contributed to the country’s socio-economic development, but Sweden wants to expand their commercial presence.
“We believe that Swedish companies have extensive knowledge, experience, and innovative solutions to offer in areas such as sustainable energy, transport, telecommunications, healthcare, dairy, and mining,” she said.
She singled out energy and transport as two of the sectors where Swedish companies currently have active interest and solutions that could be deployed in Uganda.
Olsson said Sweden’s economic diplomacy involves several government agencies working together to help Swedish companies identify opportunities and turn them into investments.
She said Business Sweden, the country’s trade promotion organisation, supports companies seeking business opportunities, while Sweden also has an export financing system and development finance mechanisms that can support investments, feasibility studies and capacity building.
“It’s a package and it’s teamwork,” Olsson said, describing the coordination between Swedish agencies in supporting companies seeking opportunities in Uganda.
She said Sweden was also seeking to create stronger links between development cooperation, trade and private-sector investment.
Olsson said Sweden sees potential in Uganda’s creative industry, particularly in supporting young entrepreneurs and sharing experience on how creative businesses can create jobs and contribute to economic growth.
She said the two countries have maintained relations for more than six decades and continue to cooperate in political dialogue, development cooperation, trade and commercial affairs.
Nakalema assured Swedish investors that the government is strengthening mechanisms to identify and resolve investment challenges before they result in financial losses.
or Sweden, increased commercial engagement with Uganda presents opportunities to deepen economic cooperation while supporting investment in sectors linked to innovation, sustainability and long-term economic development.
Sweden and Uganda are shifting their bilateral ties from traditional aid toward private sector-led trade and sustainable investment
Swedish companies are actively exploring investments in renewable energy, grid infrastructure, and transport—including support for Uganda’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR). The energy cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two nations extends through June 2028
the 4-year Swedish Initiative for Facilitating Trade in Africa (SWIFT) implemented via TradeMark Africa, Sweden committed $15 million regionally, allocating about $5 million to cut border delays and support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) along Uganda’s Northern Corridor
The Swedish government committed USD 160 million (approximately UGX 576 billion) in development cooperation for the strategic multi-year cycle.
