Swedfund, Sweden’s development finance institution, has invested USD 10 million in Inside Equity Fund II, aiming to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with impactful and innovative solutions in Zambia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique.
Swedfund invests USD 32 million in Apis Growth Markets Fund III, a fund serving low- and middle-income consumers across Africa, South and Southeast Asia.
Swedfund invests 10 MUSD through a senior unsecured loan to one of India’s leading providers of microfinance services - Satin Creditcare Network Ltd – with services aimed exclusively at women.
Today Swedfund announces an investment of USD 10m in African Rivers Fund 3 (ARF 3), together with IFC, FMO, BIO and DGGF. African Rivers Fund 3 will primarily provide loan financing to small and medium-sized companies in DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo), Uganda and Angola.
![A child in Kenya is reading in the light from off-grid solar energy. SunFunder borrower [M-KOPA], Kenya.](https://mnd-assets.mynewsdesk.com/image/upload/ar_16:9,c_fill,dpr_auto,f_auto,g_auto,q_auto:good,w_746/garcgbwjxua1ymczyskt)
Swedfund, the Swedish Development Finance Institution, commits USD 12m to the Solar Energy Transformation Fund managed by SunFunder. The investment will contribute to increased access to electricity, as well as the increased generation of renewable energy for exposed demographics in the least developed countries in the world according to the OECD DAC list. The investment is in line with Swedfund’s
Developing countries' infrastructure for healthcare is deficient and the pressure on healthcare facilities is greatly increasing as the Covid-19 virus spreads. The Swedish development finance institution Swedfund invests in the Indian fund HealthQuad II, targeting early-stage companies in the health sector that creates long-term positive effects for India's growing population.
Swedfund commits 15 million dollars to Metier Sustainable Capital II, a fund focused on renewable energy in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to investments in renewable energy, the fund will also invest in projects for resource efficiency in areas such as water and waste management.
We have focused our efforts in the sectors deemed best able to achieve development, which is in line with our mission. Where we have the greatest opportunity to generate benefits depends on a number of factors, such as experience in the sector and where we can best achieve results in equality, the environment and the creation of jobs.
Sustainable energy for all is an explicit goal in Agenda 2030. It is also a prioritised sector for Swedfund’s investments. Electrification drives development, and is essential for jobcreation and combating poverty.
Financing for sustainable development can come from several sources; aid, private capital, domestic tax-based financing and from development finance institutions. The sources of finance can be regarded as different, but complimentary, tools in the fight for sustainable development. Here we explain about the tools, focusing on what the development finance institution achieves.
The development financier Swedfund and the industry group DBL establish a textile factory in Mekelle, Ethiopia, which will provide job opportunities for 4,000 people. H&M will be a long time buyer and support with expert knowledge in sustainable textile production.
Swedfund invests MUSD 5 through a loan in Acleda Bank, a bank with strong focus on social and economic development. The loan enables the Bank's continued expansion in rural areas and thus contributes to increased employment and development of domestic production.
Swedfund invests MUSD 5 in Tanzanian National Microfinance Bank (NMB) through a syndicated loan led by the Dutch Development Bank FMO. The funds will primarily be used for on-lending to small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) and corporate borrowers, thereby contributing to job creation in Tanzania.
Swedfund invests MUSD 10 in the Nigerian Ecobank through a subordinated term loan. The investment is made in conjunction with, among others, the Dutch development bank FMO and is an important contribution to the development of the country’s private sector.
Swedfund, is selling its stake in the Kenyan insurance company UAP. The sale, to Old Mutual, entails a capital gain exceeding SEK 160 million for Swedfund. ”In only three years we have succeeded in achieving Swedfund’s primary targets for the business. We have realized substantial value, created employment opportunities and fair employment conditions,” states Anna Ryott, MD at Swedfund.
H&M and Swedfund have initiated a unique cooperation with the aim of contributing to the development of a responsible textile industry in Ethiopia with high social and environmental standards.
Addax Bioenergy has now started its first production of bioethanol and renewable electricity at the plant in Makeni, Sierra Leone. Production is estimated at 85,000 m3 of bioethanol per year by the end of 2016 and the plant is expected to contribute approximately 20% of the country’s current production of electricity.
One of Swedfunds investments in Georgia, TBC Bank, was awarded Best Bank in Georgia and Best CSR in the region in the Europe Banking Awards arranged by EMEA Finance magazine.
On March 13th 2014, Swedfund continued an ongoing stakeholder dialogue that began in the spring of 2013. Among other civil society organizations, representatives of Diakonia, Action Aid and Forum Syd participated in this latest meeting. The dialogue was chaired by Lars-Olle Larsson, Senior Manager of ESG issues at Swedfund.
Swedfund and The Africa Health Fund through The Abraaj Group invests equity in a well established chain of private hospitals in Eastern Africa.