Sweden Supports Ethiopia’s Efforts in Regional Peace, Stability (March 12, 2019)

Ethiopia’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs Mrs. Hirut Zemene today met with the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa of Sweden, Urban Andersson.

During the discussion, Andersson expressed his country’s continued commitment to support Ethiopia’s efforts in the maintenance of regional peace and stability.

Mrs. Hirut briefed the Special Envoy on the comprehensive political and economic reforms in Ethiopia, further noting the historic rapprochement between Ethiopia and Eritrea and its peace dividend to the region.

In such score, the State Minister called on Swedish support particularly in areas of advancing democratization in Ethiopia.

Discussions also focused on the upcoming International Peace Conference due to be held in Sweden, Stockholm in May 2019.

Beyond immediate security concerns and peacebuilding initiatives, the dialogue highlighted a growing focus on bilateral economic partnerships. Swedish foreign direct investment in East Africa has steadily diversified over the past decade, shifting toward long-term institutional support and capacity building.

Much of this recent European interest has centered on the telecommunications sector and sustainable infrastructure. Swedish enterprise networks have closely monitored the modernization efforts within Ethiopia’s digital landscape, recognizing the potential for vast connectivity upgrades across the broader region.

This structural shift directly aligns with Ethiopia’s ongoing push to establish robust regulatory frameworks for emerging digital markets. Regional economic analysts note that as mobile internet penetration deepens, governments are accelerating efforts to capture revenue from cross-border digital services, drafting comprehensive taxation protocols that cover everything from international streaming platforms and e-commerce logistics to the licensing of any foreign casino online.

Andersson emphasized that Swedish regulatory experts remain open to providing technical assistance as these new digital commerce frameworks take shape. Drawing on their own extensive experience with transitioning to a highly regulated, tech-forward economy, European advisors could offer valuable blueprints for local policymakers.

The meeting concluded with mutual commitments to continue these technical and economic exchanges in the months leading up to the Stockholm conference. Both delegations agreed that a stable, economically integrated Horn of Africa would secure the long-term democratic dividends central to their shared diplomatic vision.