Anna Westerholm
Anna Westerholm | |
|---|---|
| Born | Sweden |
| Education | Uppsala University |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Organization | Embassy of Sweden, Abuja |
| Known for | Diplomat |
| Title | Ambassador of Sweden to Nigeria |
| Website | https://www.swedenabroad.se/en/embassies/nigeria-abuja/about-us/embassy-staff/ |
Anna Westerholm, is an ambassador, foreign service expert, head of mission, diplomat and the Swedish ambassador to Nigeria.[1][2] She has served as a diplomat in various regions, including Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Russia,[3] and currently serves in Nigeria and Cameroon through her appointment as ambassador. In 2025, she officially resumed her duties in Abuja as the Swedish ambassador to Nigeria.[4]
Education
Anna Westerholm completed both her bachelor's and master's degrees at Uppsala University in Sweden. There, she obtained a bachelor's degree in social science and Russian studies and a master's degree in social science, development studies and Eastern European affairs. She also studied in Russia in 1992, where she obtained a diploma in the Russian language.[5][3]
Career
As a career diplomat, Westerholm served as Sweden's Ambassador for the Eastern Partnership from 2016 to 2022, during which she also worked as Director and Deputy Head of the Department for Multilateral Development Cooperation at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA). She has also worked as an intelligence analyst focusing on the Caucasus and Central Asia and has held several positions with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Estonia, Georgia, and the Republic of Moldova.[3]
Her experience is not limited to diplomacy, as she has also served on boards.[3] Since assuming her role as Swedish ambassador to Nigeria, she has called for stronger Nordic–Nigerian partnerships that could foster a long-term ecosystem for innovation and digital transformation.[6] In 2026, she led a Nordic delegation to the Enugu Tech Festival[7] alongside the Consul-General of Denmark.[8][9]
In January 2026, Westerholm led a delegation visiting the Nigeria recording label Chocolate City.[10][11] In February 2026, she visited the University of Nigeria.[12] The visit aligns with Sweden's sustained support for the Resource and Environmental Policy Research Center and the Environment for Development (REPRC-EfD).[13][14]
She has described gender equality as a "cornerstone of democracy", saying that violence against women and girls "often silences their voices and undermines democratic values".[15][16]
See also
References
- ^ "Embassy staff". Embassy of Sweden, Abuja. Sweden's embassies and consulates. Government of Sweden. 8 December 2025. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ "Ny ambassadör i Nigeria" [New ambassador to Nigeria]. Regeringskansliet (in Swedish). Government of Sweden. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
Regeringen har utsett Anna Westerholm till ambassadör i Abuja.
[The government has appointed Anna Westerholm as ambassador to Abuja] - ^ a b c d "Anna Westerholm". Institute for Security and Development Policy. 2026. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ "After a meeting between Ambassador Dr. Elias-Fatile, CDAai/Head of Mission and the new Ambassador of Sweden to Nigeria, Her Excellency, Anna Westerholm, ahead of her departure to resume in Abuja, Nigeria. – Embassy of Nigeria Sweden". 13 August 2025. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ LinkedIn. "Anna Westerholm: Education". linkedin.com. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ Nigeria, News Agency of (2 March 2026). "Envoy seeks Nigeria-Sweden partnership to drive innovation, digital transformation". Peoples Gazette Nigeria. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ "Home - Enugu Tech Festival 2026". 15 January 2026. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ "Mrs Anna Westerholm Archives". DAILY TIMES Nigeria. 25 February 2026. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ Magazine, Time Africa (20 February 2026). "Enugu Tech Festival 2026: From Coal to Code, Nigeria's Digital Future". Time Africa Magazine. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ Nwafor, Arinze (22 January 2026). "Sweden, Chocolate City deepen creative ties". The Punch. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ Oyeniran, Apata (19 January 2026). "Chocolate City Group Hosts Swedish Ambassador, Explores Creative, Digital Collaboration Opportunities". Independent. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ Ikem, Felix (28 February 2026). "UNN, Sweden strengthen collaboration". The Sun (Nigeria). Nsukka. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ "UNN Expands Strategic Partnership With Sweden To Boost Research And Innovation - GMT News Nigeria". 27 February 2026. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ Okpara, Ignatius (28 February 2026). "Sweden Partners UNN For Educational Advancement". African Examiner. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ "Foundation urges action to strengthen women's role in democracy". News Agency of Nigeria. 13 March 2026. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ "Goodluck Jonathan's foundation wants women's role in democracy strengthened". Peoples Gazette. News Agency of Nigeria. 13 March 2026. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
described gender equality as a cornerstone of democracy. ... violence against women and girls often silences their voices and undermines democratic values.