Sweden ends aid to Liberia in a hammer blow to women’s rights and healthcare
Sweden has officially closed its embassy in Liberia and ended its long-standing development aid program. This move significantly impacts local healthcare, women's rights, and sexual health services that relied on Swedish funding.
Why it matters
The withdrawal of a major donor creates a critical funding gap for essential public health and gender equality programs in a post-conflict nation.
The Swedish embassy shut its doors in Liberia’s capital, Monrovia, on 31 August. The Swedish embassy shut its doors in Liberia’s capital, Monrovia, on 31 August. Global health Sweden ends aid to Liberia in a hammer blow to women’s rights and healthcare Sexual and reproductive services face an uncertain future as the country’s second-largest donor halts support worth hundreds of millions of pounds
Isabel Choat in Monrovia Mon 31 Aug 2026 07.00 EDT Last modified on Mon 31 Aug 2026 07.01 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google T he Swedish flag is still flying above the pale blue building overlooking the Atlantic in Liberia’s capital, Monrovia, but the doors of the embassy are now closed to visitors. On 31 August, the Swedish embassy in Liberia ends a presence in the country that dates back to 1961.
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