Questions and answers
Short answers about business in East Africa, Swedish support and SWEACC membership.
Who helps Swedish companies do business in East Africa?
Business Sweden offers export advice and has an office in Nairobi covering much of the region. Team Sweden coordinates public export promotion. Sida and Swedfund work with the private sector on development and investment. SWEACC is a member-based chamber where companies, organisations and the diaspora meet.
How does a chamber of commerce differ from state-owned organisations such as Business Sweden?
Business Sweden is owned by the Swedish state and industry and sells advisory services. Sida is a government agency and Swedfund is a state-owned investment company. SWEACC is a non-profit chamber of commerce run by its members. We arrange meetings, industry clusters and contacts, and we have organised events together with Business Sweden.
Which countries does SWEACC focus on?
The organisation focuses on the eight member states of the East African Community: Burundi, DR Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. We also work with Ethiopia. Our clusters are pan-African, so members and partners from other parts of the continent take part in them.
Can Sida or Swedfund finance my project in East Africa?
Possibly. Sida partners with companies on projects with development impact, and the company usually covers about half the cost. Swedfund invests in private companies in developing countries, with Africa as a priority. Contact them directly. SWEACC can put you in touch with members who have experience.
How do I become a member of SWEACC?
Email info@sweacc.se. We welcome individuals and organisations of every size, and we will tell you which membership category fits you.