A total of SEK 45 million would go to a census project in Mali. After a late report on the work, the Swedish embassy and an external audit firm began to investigate the matter.
The audit firm discovered that SEK 7.3 million, which comes from Swedish aid, has not been reported correctly. There are many indications that the funds have gone to corruption, according to Johan Forssell.
– We have started a refund process. If they cannot show where the money has gone, then the money must be paid back, he says.
It applies to funds that have been used for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022.
In January this year, the government decided to withdraw its aid to Mali. The decision was taken before they became aware of the roughly 7 million kroner that has not been accounted for.
Support for small farmers
In February, an agreement was concluded between Sweden and the Kenyan Ministry of Finance. SEK 200 million would go to a project to support small farmers in Kenya.
So far, SEK 1.6 million has been paid out in the project, “Kenya Agricultural Business Development Project” (KABDP), which would extend over several years, according to Forssell.
– Now Sweden has ended support for the project immediately, he says.
The background is, among other things, a major corruption scandal that hit Kenya. Widespread street protests have rocked the country this summer and led to President William Ruto sacking all his ministers in July.
Money continued to Kenya
The government has also taken note of other information which indicates that there are problems with corruption in Kenya’s agricultural sector. What appears in this information and how it is connected to Swedish aid, Forssell does not want to go into.
– We take the risk of corruption seriously and the information means that we do not feel secure that the money ends up in the right place, he says.
The government’s ambition is that the remaining part of the 200 million kroner that was planned to go to the agricultural project should instead go to another project in the country.
– The starting point is that the money should go to Kenya, we will look at what opportunities are available.