JUST-IN: Tinubu, Shettima Out Of Nigeria As VP Embarks On 2-day Visit To Sweden

Vice President Kashim Shettima will depart Abuja for Sweden on a 2-day visit to represent Nigeria in bilateral engagements with the Scandinavian nation.

At the instance of President Bola Tinubu, the Vice President, during the working visit, will engage in high-level bilateral talks with key government officials, including a meeting with Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and the Swedish Prime Minister.

Shettima, according to a statement by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, will use the visit to explore opportunities for strengthened collaboration between Nigeria and Sweden in areas such as ICT, innovation, education, digitalisation, sustainable transport, mining, and agriculture.

The Nigeria’s Vice President will also meet with key stakeholders in both the government and private sector.

He is expected to also meet with Norrsken, a Stockholm-based venture capital impact investor, which recently launched Norrsken22, a USD 205 million tech investment fund for Africa.

Norrsken22 is a technology growth fund, backed by over 30 prominent unicorn founders, partnering with exceptional entrepreneurs building Africa’s next tech giants.

The meeting with Norrsken will provide insights into how Nigerian entrepreneurs can benefit from this fund and further strengthen the technology ecosystem in Nigeria.

Notably, 40% of the investments from Norrsken22 are expected to be allocated to Nigerian technology entrepreneurs.

Twelve (12) Nigerian private sector companies that are doing business with Sweden are going independently as a private sector bloc to the meeting.

“While in Sweden, VP Shettima is also expected to articulate Nigeria’s economic vision and the reforms being undertaken by the administration to create a business-friendly environment in Nigeria for investors. The myriads of opportunities that abound in Africa’s largest economy will also be showcased,” the statement said.

The Vice President is expected back in the country on Saturday.

The statement, however, did not specify the exact date of departure of the Vice President. LEADERSHIP reports that President Tinubu is currently on a two-week vacation outside the country.