Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, 10 June 2025 — The Government of Sweden has launched its four-year, $9.3 million multi-country programme, the Swedish Initiative for Facilitating Trade in Africa (SWIFT), that will focus on dismantling persistent logistics and policy bottlenecks that have stifled intra-African trade along the Berbera, Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET) and Abidjan-Lagos Corridors.

SWIFT will be implemented by TradeMark Africa, in partnership with the private sector, regional institutions like ECOWAS, and national government agencies involved in trade; and will leverage Sweden’s bilateral and regional resources to invest in digitalisation, modernisation of select transport infrastructure, and the strengthening of regional policy coordination.

SWIFT initiatives will include digitisation of customs systems, inter-agency connectivity upgrades between trading partners in West Africa, upgrade border infrastructure, and establishing a donor coordination round table to align investments and reduce duplication so resources are channelled where they are lacking yet needed the most. The initiative will also address the realities of informal trade, focusing on women and youth traders, by investing in training, safe and secure waiting spaces for women, access to electricity to improve the security and accessibility of the border posts and rain protection across pedestrian lanes to shield products, therefore addressing specific barriers and promoting economic empowerment.

It plans by 2028, to contribute to halving cargo clearance times at key border crossing points in participating countries, increase exports by 20%, and enable a 10–20% rise in formalised trade by targeted women and youth. By generating precise evidence on women’s participation along the three trade corridors, the programme will advance inclusive trade designs and outcomes that empower women as economic actors in regional markets.

“The SWIFT programme reflects our shared ambition to fast-track Africa’s trade future,” said David Beer, TMA Chief Executive Officer. “Through collaborative partnerships and bold innovation, SWIFT will build efficient, future-ready trade systems that drive growth and inclusion.” Speaking on behalf of Sweden, Mr Joachim Beijmo, Head of Regional Development Cooperation in Africa said, “Through SWIFT, Sweden reaffirms its strong belief that trade—when inclusive and sustainable—can be a powerful driver of development. By investing in the digital and physical infrastructure that connects people and markets, we are helping unlock the full potential of African entrepreneurship and regional integration.”