Sweden and Uganda
Sweden and Uganda combine development cooperation with energy and business initiatives. Their energy memorandum and 2025–2029 strategy connect technical training, electrification, health and employment opportunities.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-08 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-08History and institutional framework
Swedish development cooperation with Uganda dates back to the late eighties.
What merchandise trade shows
In 2025, goods trade between Sweden and Uganda totalled 48 million current USD.
Documented trade sectors
Within the selected chapters, machinery and mechanical appliances stands out in shipments from Sweden to Uganda, at 3.6 million USD in 2025.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 48.05 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / SWE |
| Goods: Sweden to Uganda | 29.24 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / SWE |
| Goods: Uganda to Sweden | 18.81 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / SWE |
| Services trade | ||
| Export share: Sweden to Uganda | 0.014 % | 2025 · UN Comtrade / SWE |
| Export share: Uganda to Sweden | ||
| Investment stock: Sweden in Uganda | ||
| Investment stock: Uganda in Sweden |
Definitions and sources
Trade adds both directions. Shares refer to the country’s total goods exports; investment is an accumulated stock, not an annual flow. Every figure retains the currency and period of its source. BEA positions are historical-cost estimates based on the immediate counterpart, not market values or investment by ultimate owner. ‘More than’ indicates a lower bound, not an exact amount. A recorded stock does not establish new activity or authorisation to operate under sanctions.
- Goods trade
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / SWE · Goods; full year; reporter SWE. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. Mirror reports are not added together.
- Goods: Sweden to Uganda
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / SWE · Goods; full year; reporter SWE. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. Mirror reports are not added together.
- Goods: Uganda to Sweden
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / SWE · Goods; full year; reporter SWE. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. Mirror reports are not added together.
- Export share: Sweden to Uganda
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / SWE · Goods share: SWE exports to the partner / exports by the same reporter to the world, same year.
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
Some annual indicators refer to different years. Check the period beside each value before comparing them.
| Indicator | Sweden | Uganda |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 669 billion USD2025 · WB | 61.99 billion USD2025 · WB |
| GDP per capita | 63,133.21 USD2025 · WB | 1,206.3 USD2025 · WB |
| GDP growth | 1.54 %2025 · WB | 6.33 %2025 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | ||
| Inflation · annual average | 0.68 %Annual average · 2025 · WB | 3.58 %Annual average · 2025 · WB |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | ||
| Unemployment | 8.69 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 2.75 %ILO est.2025 · WB |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -1.4 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | -7.1 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 34.9 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 54.2 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | 6.06 %2025 · WB | -7.78 %2024 · WB |
| Population | 10,596,6202025 · WB | 51,384,8942025 · WB |
| Area | 528,660 km²2023 · WB | 241,550 km²2023 · WB |
| Military expenditure | ||
| Military expenditure (% of GDP) |
Definitions, dates and sources
Blank cells are not zero. Average annual inflation and the latest year-on-year figure appear in separate rows: they are not the same measure. Every annual indicator retains its reference year; when the years differ, the figures are identified as not directly comparable. When a figure is unavailable from the World Bank, an annual IMF estimate is used and identified as such. The latest year-on-year figure is the latest official release verified as of 7 October 2026. This includes advance releases marked as provisional. Mexico may have a fortnightly figure before the full month is published; it is not automatically compared with a monthly figure. The publication date is retained in each source’s details; it does not replace the observation period or the annual average. Policy rates carry their own dates and represent different instruments. Spain and France share the ECB rate. Balances are positive for surpluses and negative for deficits. The IMF may use fiscal years; unemployment retains each source’s definition (ILO estimates, IMF WEO or PCBS), as stated in the details. For Palestine, debt and the fiscal balance cover central government and retain the PCBS definition; they are not presented as consolidated general government. These are economic magnitudes, not measures of relationship quality.
Area retains each source’s territorial coverage; it does not determine sovereignty or effective control. Canada uses an archived national geographic reference. Military expenditure retains the 2024 SIPRI sample distributed by the World Bank: the amount and percentage of GDP use that same definition, which differs from NATO’s. It is not an approved budget or a 2026 figure. Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military expenditure database · Terms of use0
Indicators reviewed: 2026-10-07. Each source retains its original access date; this review does not turn all the data into 2026 observations. Figures may be revised.
- Nominal GDP
- Current USDSweden: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.Uganda: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personSweden: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.Uganda: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)Sweden: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.Uganda: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)Sweden: 2025 · Annual average CPI change (%) · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.Uganda: 2025 · Annual average CPI change (%) · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Inflation · latest year-on-year figure
- Headline CPI relative to the same period of the previous year (%); monthly or fortnightly frequency stated
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionSweden: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate; percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.Uganda: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate; percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)Sweden: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.Uganda: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)Sweden: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.Uganda: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPSweden: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.Uganda: 2024 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Population
- PeopleSweden: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.Uganda: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceSweden: 2023 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.Uganda: 2023 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Military expenditure
- Current USD per year; SIPRI series
- Military expenditure (% of GDP)
- Percentage of GDP; SIPRI definition, not NATO’s definition
Other data specific to this relationship
What they buy and sell
Documented selection, not an exhaustive list. Cells without a figure do not mean zero value; some products are identified without a verified amount.
Sweden to Uganda
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 3.6 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 1.4 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 0.174 M USD2025 · Source |
| Vehicles and components | 0.0443 M USD2025 · Source |
| Mineral fuels and oils | 0.00714 M USD2025 · Source |
| Dairy products, eggs and honey | 0.00032 M USD2025 · Source |
Uganda to Sweden
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 0.0137 M USD2025 · Source |
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 0.00129 M USD2025 · Source |
| Vehicles and components | 0.000493 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 0.00029 M USD2025 · Source |
| Dairy products, eggs and honey | 0.000104 M USD2025 · Source |
How trade has changed
Millions of current USD · full calendar years
View chart figures
| Period | Total | Sweden to Uganda | Uganda to Sweden |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 23.4 | 15.1 | 8.3 |
| 2022 | 33 | 15.7 | 17.3 |
| 2023 | 45.8 | 26.8 | 19 |
| 2024 | 35.8 | 26 | 9.7 |
| 2025 | 48 | 29.2 | 18.8 |
Connections between people
It has supported personnel training, electrical control-system improvements and floating solar energy studies. [1]
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from Sweden living in Uganda | ||
| Residents from Uganda living in Sweden | ||
| Study and training: Sweden in Uganda | ||
| Study and training: Uganda in Sweden | ||
| Academic stays: Sweden in Uganda | ||
| Academic stays: Uganda in Sweden | ||
| Travel: Sweden to Uganda | ||
| Travel: Uganda to Sweden |
What each figure measures
Residents are counted by nationality and the coverage of the stated register, not as people born in the other country or as new arrivals in one year. PERE includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Study with OPT and stays carrying academic credit are different measures. Travel may include several visits by the same person; FRONTUR arrivals require an overnight stay, whereas the Canadian survey includes day visits. These figures are neither added together nor automatically compared across directions.
Mobility data added or reviewed: 2026-10-07. Reference periods may be earlier.
Underlying ties
History, institutions and long-standing issues.
History and institutional framework
Swedish development cooperation with Uganda dates back to the late eighties. The embassy and Business Sweden report identifies a 2025–2029 strategy of 1,500 million Swedish kronor focused on employment, natural resources, governance, health and equality. [1]
The scale of both economies
Nominal GDP for Sweden is 669 billion USD (2025), compared with 62 for Uganda (2025). The reference populations are 10.6 and 51.38 million, respectively. In the same year, the economy of Sweden was 10.79 times that of Uganda in nominal GDP. The comparison provides context on market size, but does not, on its own, measure influence, well-being or diplomatic closeness. Estimates and their sources retain their labels in the tables. [5] [6] [7] [8]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Review: 2026-10-08
Cooperation and bilateral issues
The energy memorandum signed in 2019 was extended in 2022 and again in 2025 until June 2028. It has supported personnel training, electrical control-system improvements and floating solar energy studies. Swedfund, Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa and a guarantee with Stanbic Bank Uganda support preparation or financing of energy solutions; feasibility studies are distinguished from built installations. [1]
What merchandise trade shows
In 2025, merchandise trade between the two countries (Sweden and Uganda) totalled 48 million current USD. Shipments from the first to the second were 29.2 million; those in the opposite direction, 18.8 million. The difference between the two flows was 10.4 million, in favour of Sweden. This is a goods balance, not the total balance of the economic relationship: it excludes services, income and transfers. Both directions come from a single customs reporter to avoid adding mirror records. [2]
The partner's share of exports
Sales from Sweden to the partner represented 0.014% of its worldwide goods exports in 2025. The share compares the same reporter, year and coverage. It measures export concentration, not the percentage of GDP dependent on this relationship. A partner may be important in a specific sector even if its share of total goods trade is small. [2]
Five years of trade trends
The consistent series shows 23.4 million USD in 2021 and 48 million in 2025. The change between the two endpoints was +105.3 % in current dollars. The highest annual value in the period was recorded in 2025, at 48 million. The chart allows the two directions to be compared to see whether they moved together or differently. The change combines quantities, prices and exchange rates; it is not automatically attributed to a treaty, a visit or a political decision. The same reporter is retained and missing years are not interpolated. [3]
Documented trade sectors
Within the selected chapters, machinery and mechanical appliances stands out in shipments from Sweden to Uganda, at 3.6 million USD in 2025. Within the selected chapters, electrical and electronic equipment stands out in shipments from Uganda to Sweden, at 0.0137 million USD in 2025. The table compares eight selected chapters with the same coverage as the trade total. It is not a complete list or proof that the first item in this selection is the leading product across the entire relationship. A chapter groups numerous goods: machinery and components, for example, do not describe a single business transaction. [4]
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
Institutional sources and periods accompany each figure. Annual trade, investment positions, residents and visits are distinct measures. Empty cells do not mean zero. Statements of intent are not presented as project implementation or treaties in force.
- Bilateral relations — SWE-UGA
www.swedenabroad.se · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Annual TOTAL X/M; 2025; reporter 752; partners 0,764,498,508,516,554,807,458,8,51,31,56,348,372,404,608,634,688,800,704,894,716
UN Comtrade / SWE · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Trade series 2021–2025
UN Comtrade / SWE · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Bounded matrix; reporter, partner, year, chapter and direction identified in each record
UN Comtrade; reporters SWE, THA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- NY.GDP.MKTP.CD; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official series — gdp
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- SP.POP.TOTL; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official series — population
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
Additional sources on products and human connections
- UN Comtrade; reporters SWE, THA
2026-10-08 · Accessed: 2026-10-08 · Bounded matrix; reporter, partner, year, chapter and direction identified in each record.