Jakob Granit's Departure Marks Leadership Shift at Sida Amid Aid Reform

Jakob Granit, who has served as director-general of Sida since September 2023, is stepping down from his position to take on a new role as director-general at the Government Offices. This change was announced by the Swedish government on February 26, 2026, and comes amid a period of intense reform and scrutiny within Sida, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.

Granit's tenure was marked by a major overhaul of Swedish aid policies, including the closure of multiple country programs and the termination of numerous aid projects, reflecting a broader transition in Sweden's approach to international aid. However, his leadership style faced criticism, with reports of low confidence among staff and descriptions of Granit as "very invisible." Tensions also surfaced between Granit and Sida's board, especially with chairperson Gunilla Carlsson, due to disagreements regarding the scale and pace of reforms.

The government emphasized that Granit's departure is part of a planned leadership transition to guide the next phase of Sida's reform. While no specific reasons were stated for his resignation, the move was described as a mutual decision made in consultation with Granit and International Development Cooperation Minister Benjamin Dousa. Dousa acknowledged Granit's important contributions but expressed the need for new leadership to advance the agency's restructuring.

The announcement comes in the wake of controversies surrounding Sida's funding, including allegations that some Swedish aid had financially reached groups linked to Hamas, which Granit publicly addressed with concern. Nevertheless, government sources clarified that these issues did not influence Granit's decision to leave. Social Democratic politicians have criticized the current handling of Sida’s affairs, warning of reputational damage to Sweden's international standing.

Meanwhile, Hanna Hellquist, Sida’s head director, will serve as acting director-general during the transition. Granit’s new role at the Government Offices will focus on designing a new aid architecture, continuing his involvement in shaping Sweden’s foreign aid framework. This leadership change underscores the government's commitment to reforming Sida amid challenging political and operational dynamics.