Investments with ripple effects

Swedfund has the same goals as Swedish development cooperation, but uses different tools in order to achieve them. We invest in equity, provide loans and use funds to reach more people. Our investments help to create more jobs with decent working conditions and improve access to essential products and services in the world’s most vulnerable countries.

Energy & Climate

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Energy production:
10 TWh
Number of households and companies with access to electricity via off- and mini-grids:
~ 3 million

Financial inclusion

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Number of microfinance loans:
~ 7,700,000
Number of loans to SMEs:
~ 450,000

Health

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Number of doctors and nurses at our hospitals and clinics:
~ 6,200
Number of patient consultations:
~ 6 million

Energy & Climate

Illustration of sun cells, a sun and clouds
Energy production:
10 TWh
Number of households and companies with access to electricity via off- and mini-grids:
~ 3 million

Financial inclusion

Illustration of credit cards
Number of microfinance loans:
~ 7,700,000
Number of loans to SMEs:
~ 450,000

Health

Illustration of a stetoscope
Number of doctors and nurses at our hospitals and clinics:
~ 6,200
Number of patient consultations:
~ 6 million
Total number of jobs in the portfolio companies:
333,000
Proportion of portfolio companies that have increased the number of employees during 2021:
61%
Estimated number of indirect jobs to which the portfolio contributes:
1,530,000

Investments with ripple effects

Swedfund has the same goals as Swedish development cooperation, but uses different tools in order to achieve them. We invest in equity, provide loans and use funds to reach more people. Our investments help to create more jobs with decent working conditions and improve access to essential products and services in the world’s most vulnerable countries.
Total number of jobs in the portfolio companies:
333,000
Proportion of portfolio companies that have increased the number of employees during 2021:
61%
Estimated number of indirect jobs to which the portfolio contributes:
1,530,000
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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
MARIA HÅKANSSON:
Swedfund’s investments lay the foundations for a better future
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
MARIA HÅKANSSON

Portfolio distribution

Swedfund’s portfolio, proportion of total contracted amount (%)

Geography

Graph of geography
* In 2022, the ‘Other’ category, which historically included investments with a broad geographical mandate, was distributed to underlying countries based on actual distribution and qualified pipeline.

Sector

Graph of sector

Instruments

Graph of investment form

Geography

Graph of geography
* In 2022, the ‘Other’ category, which historically included investments with a broad geographical mandate, was distributed to underlying countries based on actual distribution and qualified pipeline.

Sector

Graph of sector

Instruments

Graph of investment form

Portfolio distribution

Swedfund’s portfolio, proportion of total contracted amount (%)
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CHAIR OF THE BOARD
CATRIN FRANSSON:
Swedfund has a clear mission, generates strong results and continues to grow
CHAIR OF THE BOARD
CATRIN FRANSSON

Investments to create sustainable development for more people

In recent years, a number of global crises have negatively impacted the implementation of Agenda 2030. In order to reverse the trend and overcome challenges such as increasing poverty, climate change and inequality both within and between countries, various types of tools and initiatives will be needed that create positive effects for the future.
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1) Investment

Swedfund invests capital, expertise and technical assistance in sustainable companies and conducts feasibility studies in developing countries in line with the company’s strategy, and often in partnership with other development finance institutions or other like-minded investors.
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2) Value creation

Active ownership within our three pillars: impact on society, sustainability and financial viability. To secure sustainable development, we contractually bind the changes we want to achieve and consider possible among the portfolio companies, and provide expertise and technical assistance as and when necessary.
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3) Direct effects

Our investment activities generate measurable results such as more jobs, improved access to products and services, reduced environmental footprint, higher tax revenues and growth in sustainable companies with good corporate governance.
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4) Indirect effects

Swedfund’s investments have indirect effects in the form of sustainable private sector development, more resilient and prosperous local communities, inclusive development and economic growth, along with accelerated adaptation to and mitigation of climate change.
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5) The goal: Agenda 2030

Collectively, the direct and indirect effects of Swedfund’s investments and feasibility studies contribute to fulfilment of the goals of Agenda 2030.
Illustration of hand holding a bag of money

1) Investment

Swedfund invests capital, expertise and technical assistance in sustainable companies and conducts feasibility studies in developing countries in line with the company’s strategy, and often in partnership with other development finance institutions or other like-minded investors.
Illustration of males and females

2) Value creation

Active ownership within our three pillars: impact on society, sustainability and financial viability. To secure sustainable development, we contractually bind the changes we want to achieve and consider possible among the portfolio companies, and provide expertise and technical assistance as and when necessary.
Illustration of city with wifi-symbol

3) Direct effects

Our investment activities generate measurable results such as more jobs, improved access to products and services, reduced environmental footprint, higher tax revenues and growth in sustainable companies with good corporate governance.
Illustration of hand putting in vote

4) Indirect effects

Swedfund’s investments have indirect effects in the form of sustainable private sector development, more resilient and prosperous local communities, inclusive development and economic growth, along with accelerated adaptation to and mitigation of climate change.
Illustration of globe

5) The goal: Agenda 2030

Collectively, the direct and indirect effects of Swedfund’s investments and feasibility studies contribute to fulfilment of the goals of Agenda 2030.

Investments to create sustainable development for more people

In recent years, a number of global crises have negatively impacted the implementation of Agenda 2030. In order to reverse the trend and overcome challenges such as increasing poverty, climate change and inequality both within and between countries, various types of tools and initiatives will be needed that create positive effects for the future.

How we create value

Value creation model

Swedfund’s value creation model has been developed to describe how we best fulfill our mission in order to fight poverty in the world’s most vulnerable countries.
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A thorough investment process

We invest in private businesses, financial institutions and funds by providing loans and equity in order to create jobs with decent working conditions and improve access to socially important products and services such as renewable energy, food and health. We have developed an investment process that will enable us to succeed in our challenging mission.
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Accelerator to develop and implement more sustainable projects

Swedfund’s Project Accelerator contributes to the development and implementation of more sustainable projects in renewable energy, green infrastructure and sustainable transportation in developing countries, and is thus an important tool for achieving the goals of Agenda 2030. The work of the Project Accelerator starts at a relatively early stage in the project development phase and lays the foundations for the financing of priority sustainable solutions. Specific projects facilitate sustainable investments and increased trade, which collectively have a positive development effect.
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Example of of our investments

During 2022, Swedfund made 15 investments and 5 divestments. Learn more about our work and some of our new investments.
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Investments with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa

Swedfund’s investments have a wide geographical spread. In accordance with our Owner Instructions, our focus is on the world’s least developed countries, which above all means sub-Saharan Africa. During the year, Swedfund has made many investments in new companies, along with a number of additional investments in ongoing investments.
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How we create value