Stockholm - Sweden's centre-right government Wednesday presented a revised Africa policy that was aimed at focusing on strengthening democracy, investments and trade relations. These factors were "key to development" and Swedish development aid was aimed at helping to "create preconditions for democratic development and sustainable economic growth," the government said.
The four-party coalition earlier said it would halve the number of countries - from 70 to 33 - that receive bilateral aid, focusing a lot of its bilateral aid to Africa.
International Development Cooperation Minister Gunilla Carlsson has said the move is part of efforts to combat poverty, and promote "better efficiency."
The policy was outlined in a 65-page document sent to parliament.
Supporting measures to make it easier to trade was "a prerequisite for growth in Africa and sustainable poverty reduction," Carlsson, Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and Trade Minister Ewa Bjorling said in an op-ed article in Stockholm daily Svenska Dagbladet.
The three cabinet members urged Swedish companies to invest in Africa, and also highlighted efforts by the African Union to defuse the political crisis in Kenya.
The government said it would continue to focus on poverty reduction efforts and support countries hit by conflict or recovering from conflicts.
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