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
Energy production:
10 TWh
Number of households and companies with access to electricity via off- and mini-grids:
~ 3 million
Financial inclusion
Number of microfinance loans:
~ 7,700,000
Number of loans to SMEs:
~ 450,000
Health
Number of doctors and nurses at our hospitals and clinics:
~ 6,200
Number of patient consultations:
~ 6 million
Energy & Climate
Energy production:
10 TWh
Number of households and companies with access to electricity via off- and mini-grids:
~ 3 million
Financial inclusion
Number of microfinance loans:
~ 7,700,000
Number of loans to SMEs:
~ 450,000
Health
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.
Portfolio distribution
Swedfund’s portfolio, proportion of total contracted amount (%)
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
Instruments
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
Instruments
Portfolio distribution
Swedfund’s portfolio, proportion of total contracted amount (%)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Interview with Amit Bouri, CEO and co-founder of GIIN
GIIN, The Global Impact Investing Network is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the scale and effectiveness of impact investing around the world.
Read the interview
Job – Decent working conditions contribute to inclusive and sustainable economic growth
Negative developments in the global economy are hitting developing countries hard and threatening the fulfillment of goal 8 of Agenda 2030. To reverse this trend, more jobs with decent working conditions needs to be created.
Read about job creation
Climate – the issue has never been more crucial
Climate change is the greatest global challenge of our time. Greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase, and we are heading for temperature rises that are well above the target set out in the Paris Agreement.
Read about climate
Food – The global food system needs to be transformed
In recent years, uncertainty as regards food supply has increased in many parts of the world. Climate change is one reason for this, but disruption to trade as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine has also had a negative impact.
Read about food
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
Case: Serengeti Energy
Swedfund's investment in Serengeti Energy means that we are contributing with capital to energy projects in the early growth phase.
Read about Serengeti Energy
Case: Microfinance
Responsible microfinance is an important supplement to bank loans for private individuals and entrepreneurs, which contribute to financial inclusion and give people an opportunity to escape from poverty.
Read about microfinance
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.