Between Africa and the South of Sweden – Challenges faced by small businesses importing African products in Malmö and Lund

Abstract: International trade has been put forth by the EU as Africa’s most significant opportunity for economic development. Yet, challenges for African exports to the EU persist. This bachelor’s thesis explores the challenges faced by small businesses importing African products in Malmö and Lund, Sweden. It does so through interviews with stakeholders involved in the import process: owners of shops importing African products, a customs broker, and a representative of Swedish Customs. The thesis adds to the current macro-level literature on the technical barriers to trade faced by African imports to the EU by providing a micro-level perspective on what challenges importers experience as the most pronounced. The identified challenges of the participants are mixed – and dependent on how they choose to import their products – but still suggest that EU standards and the accessibility of information on import requirements pose a technical challenge to importing African goods.