By Staff Reporter
The Government of Sweden has announced that it has decided to phase out its bilateral development cooperation strategy with Zimbabwe in an orderly and responsible manner by 31 August 2026.
In a statement released on its official social media platforms, the Swedish government said the decision was taken within a broader context involving complex deliberations tied to its wider foreign policy priorities. These include emerging security and defence challenges within Sweden’s region, as well as the implementation of the government’s Reform Agenda for development cooperation.
“The Government of Sweden has decided to phase-out Sweden´s Bilateral Development Cooperation Strategy with Zimbabwe in an orderly and responsible way by 31 August 2026,” the statement reads.
The reform agenda seeks to sharpen the focus of Sweden’s international development cooperation while reducing the number of countries covered under bilateral strategies. Zimbabwe is among several African nations affected by the decision, alongside Liberia, Mozambique and Tanzania.
Sweden clarified that the move is not connected to any specific events or developments in Zimbabwe.
“As the Embassy’s primary mission is closely linked to the Swedish development cooperation, the need for a permanent diplomatic presence has been reduced,” the statement said, adding that the decision therefore also entails the closure of the Swedish Embassy in Harare.
Despite the closure, Sweden reaffirmed that Zimbabwe remains an important partner, citing strong historic relations and long-standing people-to-people ties.
“These ties create opportunities for continued collaboration between actors in Sweden and in Zimbabwe, even if the form for these collaborations may change,” the government said.
