By Opeoluwa Okudero 
Sweden has officially announced the launch of its largest innovation hub in Africa, located in Lagos State, Nigeria. The announcement was made on Monday during a high-level meeting between Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima and Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of the Vice President), both nations reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties through trade, sustainable development, gender equality, and cultural exchange.
Sweden Bets on Nigeria’s Tech and Innovation Potential
Sweden’s Minister for Infrastructure and Housing, Andreas Carlson, highlighted Nigeria’s vibrant innovation and technology sectors as key areas of opportunity for collaboration.
“We have opened five innovation hubs in Africa, with the largest one in Nigeria, in Lagos,” Carlson said, adding that plans were underway to officially open Sweden’s physical trade office in Nigeria. “This will shape a better future for tomorrow for our people.”
He also referenced the long-standing relationship between both nations, noting over 65 years of partnership and recent efforts to deepen ties in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and digital innovation.
A Renewed Chapter in Bilateral Relations
Vice President Shettima described the visit as a gateway to a new phase of institutional partnerships, business collaborations, and cultural ties. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to serve as a dependable partner to Sweden.
“We are particularly excited about opportunities in renewable energy, precision agriculture, healthcare innovation, and gender inclusion—areas where Sweden has much to offer, and Nigeria is eager to learn,” the Vice President noted.
He also recalled his visit to Stockholm in October 2024, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Nigeria and Ericsson to support 5G innovation across the country.
Swedish Innovation in Nigerian Education
Shettima applauded the efforts of Swedish edtech firm SchoolTry for its work in transforming educational outcomes in Nigeria — an example of the people-focused development Sweden seeks to champion in its partnership with Africa’s largest economy.
As Sweden opens its Lagos innovation hub and trade office, both countries are charting a collaborative future built on mutual growth, digital transformation, and sustainable development.
Valentine Alexander
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