What SIDA does

SIDA is a Swedish government agency (förvaltningsmyndighet) operating under the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, mandated to manage Sweden's bilateral international development cooperation. The agency was constituted in its current form in 1995, with roots going back to 1968, and is headquartered in Sundbyberg with additional offices in Visby and Härnösand. In 2025, SIDA reported approximately SEK 22.7 billion (~$2.1B USD) in disbursements across 1,636 active contributions in 35+ countries spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and the Western Balkans. The leadership consists of Director-General Hanna Hellquist, with Bo Netz serving as acting chairperson and Helena Lindberg appointed to take over the chairperson role on 17 July 2026.

SIDA's core product set comprises programmatic instruments and digital platforms. Programmatic instruments include Challenge Funds, the Sida Guarantee Instrument, Power Africa, EU Twinning/TAIEX, and International Training Programmes (ITP). Methodological toolboxes cover Poverty, Gender, Green, Peace/Conflict, Market Systems, and Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA). Digital infrastructure includes the Partner Portal (launched November 2022) as the central partner interaction layer, Openaid.se as the public transparency platform, and Development Economics Briefs as analytical output. The portfolio is organized around seven thematic priorities.

SIDA's business model is non-commercial: it is funded entirely through Swedish government appropriations and operates as a pass-through and program-management agency. Revenue mechanics are direct budget allocations from the Riksdag via the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, with disbursements flowing to multilateral institutions, partner governments, NGOs, and other implementing partners. SIDA does not sell products in the traditional sense; its "customers" are implementing partners and beneficiaries of development assistance. Integrity and risk management is a material operational dimension, with 318 registered cases of suspected corruption/irregularities logged in 2025, of which 59% of concluded cases contained confirmed suspicions. SIDA is a member of the Swedish International Sustainable Development (SISD) network and participates in EU coordination frameworks.

Name

SIDA

Legal name

Styrelsen för internationellt utvecklingssamarbete

Website

https://sida.se

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

SIDA is Sweden's government agency for international development cooperation, funding 1,636 active contributions in 35+ countries with 2025 disbursements of approximately SEK 22.7 billion (~$2.1B USD) through programmatic instruments and a digital partner platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Development Cooperation

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

International Affairs (9721), Foreign Governments (8888)

akta.pro primary industry

Development Cooperation & Foreign Aid Administration (BPAIAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Economic Growth, Trade & Private Sector Development Programs (BPADABAF), Climate, Environment & Natural Resource Management Aid Programs (BPADABAI), Education, Skills & Workforce Development Aid Programs (BPADABAE), International & Global Public Health Aid Administration (Government Donors) (HLAJALAO), International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

Keywords

• International development cooperation
• Official development assistance
• Humanitarian aid funding
• Capacity building programmes
• Poverty reduction funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Stockholm

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Appropriation Funding: SIDA operates as a Swedish government agency funded entirely through Swedish tax revenue and government appropriations. The agency receives funding via appropriation letters from the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. In 2025, total development support disbursed amounted to approximately SEK 22.7 billion in direct appropriations, with additional multilateral contributions.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

SIDA allocates Swedish government development aid funding through grants and contribution agreements to partner organizations — including civil society, partner country governments, multilateral organisations, the private sector, and academic institutions — to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development across 35+ countries. It also delivers capacity-building programmes, methodological toolboxes, financial instruments (guarantees, challenge funds), the Partner Portal digital platform, and operates Openaid.se for transparency.

Product overview

SIDA (Styrelsen för internationellt utvecklingssamarbete / Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) is Sweden's government agency for development cooperation, operating on behalf of the Swedish Government and Parliament. Rather than a single product, SIDA offers a portfolio of development cooperation services including the Partner Portal digital platform for partner collaboration, International Training Programmes (ITP) for capacity building, various methodological toolboxes (Poverty, Gender, Green, Peace and Conflict, Market Systems Development, Human Rights Based Approach), financial instruments (guarantees, Challenge Funds), and knowledge products (Development Economics Briefs, evaluations). The agency also coordinates networks such as Swedish Investors for Sustainable Development (SISD) and participates in EU instruments including Twinning and TAIEX.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Partner Portal Digital collaboration platform for SIDA's implementing partners that consolidates development contribution information, finance summaries, monthly transactions, agreement overviews, templates, and reporting tools. For use by civil society, multilateral, private sector, and government partners engaged in SIDA-funded programmes.
• International Training Programmes (ITP) Capacity development programmes offering training to key personnel from institutions in low- and middle-income countries for implementing reforms, with focus on transparent, efficient, democratic state administration under the rule of law. Delivered by Swedish and international agencies, universities, and NGOs on SIDA's behalf.
• SIDA Guarantee Instrument Sovereign financial instrument backed by the Swedish government that mobilises private capital for development purposes and encourages private sector engagement in global poverty reduction. Used to backstop lending to micro-enterprises and underserved markets.
• Challenge Funds Funding mechanisms that challenge and stimulate private sector innovation for development outcomes, awarding grants to companies that propose innovative solutions to development challenges.
• Power Africa Initiative supporting increased electricity access in Africa through private sector engagement and SIDA-backed financing.
• EU Twinning EU-funded instrument enabling cooperation between public agencies across borders for institutional development, with Swedish public sector agencies partnering with counterpart agencies in beneficiary countries.
• TAIEX Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument supporting peer-to-peer learning between public sector institutions, with Swedish authorities participating to share regulatory and administrative expertise.
• Swedish Investors for Sustainable Development (SISD) Network coordinated by SIDA bringing together approximately 20 of Sweden's largest asset owners, asset managers, and institutional investors to align investments with the Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Agreement through exchange of experience, learning, and communication.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3 million people received life-saving assistance, healthcare, and protection through mobile clinics in Sudan (2025)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Swedish Investors for Sustainable Development (SISD) - AlectaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSISD is a network bringing together approximately 20 of Sweden's largest asset owners, asset managers, and institutional investors working together for the Sustainable Development Goals. The ambition is to contribute to more sustainable investments in line with the SDGs and Paris Agreement through exchange of experience, learning, and communication.
• Swedish Investors for Sustainable Development (SISD) - AMFflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSISD is a network bringing together approximately 20 of Sweden's largest asset owners, asset managers, and institutional investors working together for the Sustainable Development Goals. AMF participates as a member investor committed to SDG-aligned investments.
• Swedish Investors for Sustainable Development (SISD) - AP3flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThird AP Fund (AP3) participates in SISD network focused on sustainable investments aligned with the Global Goals for Sustainable Development.
• Swedish Investors for Sustainable Development (SISD) - AP4flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFourth AP Fund (AP4) participates in SISD network working to align global financial system with sustainable development.
• Swedish Investors for Sustainable Development (SISD) - AP7flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeventh AP Fund (AP7) participates in SISD network committed to sustainable development investments.
• Swedish Investors for Sustainable Development (SISD) - FolksamflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFolksam, as a major Swedish insurance and savings company, participates in SISD to promote sustainable investments.
• Swedish Investors for Sustainable Development (SISD) - Handelsbanken FonderflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHandelsbanken Fonder (asset management) participates in SISD network to advance sustainable investment practices.
• Swedish Investors for Sustainable Development (SISD) - Investor ABflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerInvestor AB, as a core holding company with significant international investments, participates in SISD to advance sustainable development.
• Swedish Investors for Sustainable Development (SISD) - NordeaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNordea (including Nordea Asset Management and Nordea Life and Pension) participates in SISD as one of the largest financial groups in the Nordics committed to sustainable investments.
• Swedish Investors for Sustainable Development (SISD) - Swedbank RoburflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedbank Robur, as a major Swedish mutual fund company, participates in SISD to advance sustainable investment goals.
• Swedish Investors for Sustainable Development (SISD) - Church of Sweden (Svenska Kyrkan)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch of Sweden participates in SISD bringing faith-based perspective to sustainable development investments.
• Swedish Investors for Sustainable Development (SISD) - SkandiaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSkandia, as a major Swedish mutual insurance company, participates in SISD network.
• Swedish Investors for Sustainable Development (SISD) - SwedfundflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedfund, Sweden's development finance institution, participates in SISD to promote sustainable investments in developing markets.
• Global Investors for Sustainable Development (GISD) AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSISD contributed to inspiration for UN Secretary-General to form GISD, a group of leaders from major financial institutions and corporations worldwide working to scale up private finance for the SDGs. SIDA actively participates in GISD working groups.
• UNDPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Nations Development Programme receives SIDA funding and implements development programs globally, including peacebuilding, governance, and poverty reduction initiatives.
• UNFPAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Nations Population Fund implements SIDA-funded programs on sexual and reproductive health and rights, particularly in Africa and crisis-affected countries.
• Church of Sweden (Sidas Partner)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch of Sweden implements SIDA-funded development and humanitarian programs, including the Nexus Pilot in South Sudan and projects in multiple partner countries.
• MiBanco ColombiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMiBanco participated in SIDA guarantee program (2018-2023) mobilising private capital for micro-enterprises in Colombia, particularly women in rural areas.
• Musika ZambiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational NGO receiving SIDA support (2013-2022) to reduce poverty in rural Zambia by stimulating business relationships between corporate sector and smallholder farmers.
• Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEI leads SIDA-funded initiative to support India, South Africa, Vietnam, and Indonesia in transitioning to fossil-free steel production.
• Fair Finance GuideminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIDA supports Fair Finance Guide, an organisation that reviews and influences financial institutions' policies on sustainability and human rights.
• SwedwatchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIDA supports Swedwatch, an organisation that investigates companies' social and environmental impact to promote responsible business practices.
• Swedish Development Forum (FUF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFUF administers internship placements for students at Swedish universities who wish to intern at SIDA and partner organisations.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• UNDP (United Nations Development Programme): UN's global development network implementing programmes across 170+ countries. Comparable as a major recipient of SIDA funding and a multilateral counterpart in poverty reduction, governance, and crisis response, though operating as a multilateral rather than bilateral agency.

Direct peers

• JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency): Japan's bilateral development agency delivering ODA through grants, technical cooperation, and loans. Comparable in mixed-instrument portfolio, capacity-building focus (ITP-like programmes), and DAC-style governance.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit): Germany's federal agency for international cooperation, implementing bilateral development programmes on behalf of the German government. Comparable in scale, instruments (grants, technical cooperation, challenge funds), and global country footprint.
• NORAD (Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation): Norway's bilateral development agency with a similar mandate to allocate Norwegian ODA across sectors and countries. Highly comparable as a Nordic DAC agency with similar governance, instruments, and partner-based delivery model.
• DANIDA (Danish International Development Agency): Denmark's bilateral development cooperation agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Closely comparable Nordic peer with similar portfolio mix, thematic priorities, and public-sector partnership approach.
• FCDO (UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office): UK government department responsible for foreign policy and international development. Highly comparable as a major bilateral donor with multi-sector portfolio across similar partner countries and shared focus on poverty, climate, and gender equality.
• USAID (United States Agency for International Development): US government's primary civilian foreign aid agency operating global development programmes. Comparable in mandate, partner-based model, and sectoral breadth, though operating at a substantially larger scale.
• KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency): South Korea's bilateral development agency implementing grant-based cooperation and capacity development programmes. Comparable in programme mix (grants, training, technical cooperation) and emerging-donor operating model.
• Swedfund (Swedish Development Finance Institution): Sweden's state-owned development finance institution investing in private enterprises in developing countries. Highly comparable as a sister Swedish public instrument participating in SISD alongside SIDA and focused on mobilising private capital for development.
• AFD (Agence Française de Développement): France's bilateral development finance institution operating grants, loans, and guarantees for sustainable development. Comparable in instrument mix (notably guarantee instruments similar to SIDA's) and mandate to mobilise private capital.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SidaSverige
• Facebookfacebook.com/sidasverige
• LinkedInse.linkedin.com/company/sida
• Instagraminstagram.com/SidaSweden
• Xx.com/sida

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments1 record

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Frequently asked questions about SIDA