How to make wealthy Africans start paying taxes
With USAID funding gone African governments need to find other ways to finance basic service. One such way is to make the rich people in their now countries pay their taxes, writes Giovanni Occhiali from Institute of Development Studies. Faced with some of the worse debt levels in over a decade, African countries are struggling …
Development Sweden #60. What can we learn from 20 years in Afghanistan?
Finland has been named the happiest country in the world for the eight year in a row. But what are the specifics that makes a country happy? Is there, for example, a link between happiness and politics? Also in this issue: Is it possible to get the knowledge out in today’s Russia about historical and …
USAID: Can Nigeria manage health on its own?
Donald Trump’s decision to fold USAID, freeze the PEPFAR program and withdraw the US from the World Health Organization is threatening funding for critical health programmes around the world, including Nigeria. But why has countries like Nigeria become so dependent on US funding? And what should it do now? Oyewale Tomori is professor of virology …
Development Sweden #59. Do you get to keep your job?
Working in the development sector provides many with a feeling of purpose. But now, jobs are disappearing as many organizations are forced to cut back on employees. What happens to those who have to leave? Also in this issue: The Swedish government is planning a significant reduction in aid to Mozambique. The UN Human Rights …
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s new book is here!
Award-winning Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s new novel Dream Count has landed. It’s been over a decade since Adichie published her previous novel, Americanah. On Mars 25, it will be published in Swedish under the titel Drömräkning. Daria Tunca explains what Dream Count is about and whether it’s worth reading. Dream Count tells the intersecting …
Development Sweden #58. Historical increase in Swedish aid to Ukraine
Sweden is increasing its aid to Ukraine by over 1.4 billion SEK – resulting in more than 14% of the 2025 aid budget being allocated to the country. Also in this issue: Sida is suspending all agreements on new initiatives as a result of the uncertain global situation. Sweden allocates 300 Million SEK in aid …
Development Sweden #57. Ukrainian refugees must be given long-term security
It has been three years since the EU activated the Temporary Protection Directive. Yet, thousands of people are still left in uncertainty. Therefore, Ukrainian refugees must be given long-term security in Sweden (debate). This issue also features a commentary on the World Bank’s poverty report as well as an interview with the Swedish Postcode Lottery …
Opinion: Forcing elections in Ukraine would be dangerous
OPINION. A lasting and just peace in Ukraine requires a clear and principled sequence of actions. A ceasefire must come first, followed by a sustainable peace agreement. Only then can free, fair, and legitimate elections take place, writes Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary General of International IDEA. The opinions expressed in this article are those by the …
Africa: How can foreign aid dependency be reduced?
Many health services across the African continent rely heavily on overseas aid to provide essential care. Therfore, long-term strategies to reduce aid dependency are critical, writes Francisca Mutapi from University of Edinburgh. There’s been a global trend in the reduction of aid to Africa since 2018. Donors are shifting their funding priorities in response to …
Development Sweden #56. Ramadan in focus for Swedish aid organizations
Fundraising during Ramadan increases, as nearly ten different Swedish aid organizations are now actively raising funds during the Muslim fasting month. Also in this issue: a new director at SIWI and the resumption of suspended election monitoring, following the Swedish governments decision. Read more in Development Sweden #56. Development Sweden is providing you with exclusive …
