Hostage Johan Gustafsson, held by al-Qaeda in Mali since 2011, has been freed, the Swedish government says.

Mr Gustafsson, 42, is being flown back to Sweden from Africa, Sweden's Foreign Minister Margot Wallström said in a statement on Monday.

He was seized by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) along with two other men, both of whom have since been freed or released.

Ms Wallström said Mr Gustafsson was "in good spirits", local media report.

"It is with great pleasure that I can announce that Johan Gustafsson has been released," Ms Wallström added.

Mr Gustafsson was kidnapped along with Sjaak Rijke, a Dutchman, and Frenchman Serge Lazarevic, during a motorcycle trip in Mali.

Mr Lazarevic was released in December 2014 after a prisoner swap. Mr Rijke was found by chance in a dawn raid in northern Mali in April last year