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full screen Development Minister Benjamin Dousa (M) will continue the restructuring of Swedish aid that his predecessor Johan Forssell (M) began. Photo: Jessica Gow / TT
There has been a storm surrounding Swedish aid in recent years. The government has reduced the budget and it will be more business oriented – and also benefit Sweden.
– No country has been lifted out of poverty only by aid, says new Aid Minister Benjamin Dousa (M).
The former Muf chairman Benjamin Dousa (M), came directly from the business world into the role of aid minister just under a month ago. Not exactly a coincidence, as aid under the Tidö government is to be more business oriented. At least when it comes to development cooperation, i.e. long-term aid that is not emergency humanitarian aid such as disaster relief.
– When Swedish companies establish themselves in a poor country – sure, it’s good for money from a monetary perspective, we get new tax revenue. But they also bring with them Swedish values, the Swedish view of how to conduct business, the Swedish view of gender equality. I think that is also important.
But that it should benefit Sweden is part of the new reorganization of aid policy?
– Absolutely. And above all benefit the recipient country, says Dousa.
Ukraine as an example
The line is not uncontroversial, but has been criticized because it risks that the aid money, instead of going where it does the most good for the recipient country, goes where it does the most good for Sweden.
– To get out of poverty, it is trade, it is strong institutions, property rights and the market economy that can make a difference.
– And I believe that it is the combination of that and aid that can seriously get countries’ economies going, says Dousa.
He takes Ukraine, the country Sweden gives the most aid to, as the example he thinks has come the furthest when it will combine gains for both countries. In addition to military and humanitarian support, Ukraine has also received development and trade policy support.
– Recently, we have opened a trade office in Kiev with a special envoy who will also help build up the Ukrainian business community.
– I think that combination with Ukraine as a template can be duplicated in other environments as well.
“Nothing to be ashamed of”
When Dousa had been in office for a week, the news came that aid would be reduced from today’s 56 billion to 53 in the years 2026–2028. It has met with strong criticism from the opposition and civil society as it takes place at a time of many severe crises and wars in the world.
Dousa believes that it was absolutely right to scrap the previous one percent target of GDP and that the money is a well-balanced budget in view of the world situation.
– Sweden is and remains one of the world’s most generous aid donors.
– We have nothing to be ashamed of, says Dousa.
FACT Swedish aid
The Tidö government scrapped the goal that 1 percent of GDP would go to aid. Instead, a lower budget of NOK 56 billion per year was set for 2023–2025.
On September 17 this year, the government announced that aid for the years 2026–2028 will be 53 billion.
Swedish aid is mainly distributed by Sida and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In 2023, aid amounted to 59 billion. Just under 32 of them went via the Foreign Ministry to, for example, UN bodies. Roughly 26 are awarded via Sida. The largest recipient country was Ukraine.
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