HRH The Crown Princess' speech at Sweden-Nigeria Business Forum

It is a great pleasure for me to visit Nigeria.

There is so much to explore and experience in this remarkable country. As my visit is brief, I know I will only catch a glimpse of all that Nigeria has to offer. Yet, in this short time, I have already felt the pulse of your country. The beat of music, the lively conversations of city traders and the scent of suya in the air. Nigeria is full of beautiful contrasts – vibrant and captivating – where every moment is filled with life and energy.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As a representative of Sweden, I have long been looking forward to this trip. I know that I share this excitement with Minister for Infrastructure and Housing, Andreas Carlson, and our business delegation organised by Business Sweden.

Today, it is an honour for me to open the joint Sweden-Nigeria Business Forum here in Lagos. The strong presence of government representatives and business leaders from both our countries highlights the vast potential for deeper economic cooperation.

The theme of this business forum is Driving Innovation and Investing in Green Infrastructure for Sustainable Impact. It reflects one of the most pressing challenges of our time: the urgent need to accelerate the green transition. However, it requires bold action, innovation, and above all, cooperation.

It is therefore truly inspiring to see Nigerian and Swedish companies joining forces – co-developing solutions, sharing expertise and driving innovation. But the green transition cannot succeed through business partnerships alone. That is why I am pleased to see our industries working closely with academia and civil society. Sustainable solutions are already emerging in sectors such as renewable energy, mining, and transport and thanks to this collaboration, I look forward to seeing even more in the near future.

A key step in strengthening our trade relations is the opening of a trade office here in Lagos. More than just a place of business, this office is a bridge between our nations. Together, we are not only reinforcing our economic ties but also taking decisive steps towards a greener, more sustainable future.

Let this be the beginning of an even stronger partnership – one that drives progress, inspires change, and creates opportunities for generations to come.

Thank you.