Africa currently represents a limited share of Sweden’s total exports, yet the region holds significant untapped potential. Anthonia Adenaya Huard, Regional Director for Northern and Western Africa, supports Swedish companies through the Trade and Development assignment. She sees strong opportunities for them to establish a presence in high‑growth developing markets.
In West Africa, Business Sweden is advancing infrastructure initiatives with a focus on public transport – a critical enabler for emissions reduction, job creation, and improved urban accessibility. One such initiative was launched in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where Team Sweden actors, co coordinated by Business Sweden, carried out a feasibility study identifying a bus rapid transit (BRT) system powered by biofuel made from agricultural waste as the most sustainable solution.
Sweden has strong expertise – “why not put it to use?”
“With women playing a central role in the agricultural sector, the initiative creates both environmental gains and greater economic empowerment for women. Sweden has strong expertise in biofuels, and Swedish companies are well positioned to contribute that knowledge to Côte d’Ivoire,” says Anthonia Adenaya Huard. “Why not put it to use?”
Team Sweden, with Business Sweden in a leading role, contributed to the financing, and Scania was awarded the contract to deliver 450 biodiesel‑compatible buses to Abidjan. The project soon attracted international financing partners, including the World Bank and the African Development Bank.
A call to Swedish SMEs: see Africa as an opportunity
The same model is now being rolled out in Lagos, Nigeria, where rapid urbanisation calls for scalable and efficient transport solutions. A feasibility study showed that biogas buses were well suited to local conditions, with municipal waste identified as a viable energy source. Business Sweden is now exploring how Swedish and African municipalities can be connected to exchange knowledge on waste management and value creation through the bioeconomy. An agreement for the delivery of 2,000 biogas buses from Scania was concluded in spring 2025.