What was the deciding factor when you accepted the role of Swedfund’s Chair of the board?
Accepting the offer was an easy decision. I believe that Swedfund’s mission, to help reduce poverty through sustainable investments in developing countries, is a vital one. There has long been a strong need for sustainable investments in developing countries and, given what is happening in the world around us today, this need is only continuing to increase. Swedfund’s many years of experience and strong expertise put us in a position to make a genuine difference. During the years I worked as CEO of another state-owned company, I came across and worked with Swedfund on numerous occasions. Through the partnership within Team Sweden and STEP, where Swedish operators work together according to their different mandates, I was fortunate enough to travel with colleagues from Swedfund and visit some of Swedfund’s portfolio companies.
Swedfund has a clear mission, generates strong results and continues to grow
Catrin Fransson took over as Chair of Swedfund’s Board in April 2022. It has been an eventful time recently, with the restrictions relating to the Covid-19 pandemic being relaxed, yet at the same time, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has impacted the entire global economy. We spoke to Catrin about the task she faces and how she views the future.
As Chair of Swedfund’s board, what do you hope to contribute with and what is your vision?
I was fortunate to join Swedfund at a time when the organisation is growing and has strong leadership and highly motivated employees. Swedfund has a clear vision and effective and efficient processes in place. My hope is that I and the rest of the board will be able to support the management in further developing the strategy, a task that will be performed in 2023.
I was fortunate to join Swedfund at a time when the organisation is growing and has strong leadership and highly motivated employees. Swedfund has a clear vision and effective and efficient processes in place. My hope is that I and the rest of the board will be able to support the management in further developing the strategy, a task that will be performed in 2023.
My hope is that I and the rest of the board will be able to support the management in further developing the strategy, a task that will be performed in 2023.
What are your top priorities for the mission in the short term?
The mission from our owner is clear but, now that we have a new government in place, it is important that they feel well-informed about what Swedfund is doing. Swedfund is Sweden’s development finance institution and this field of development cooperation is growing in importance, both within the EU and internationally.
The mission from our owner is clear but, now that we have a new government in place, it is important that they feel well-informed about what Swedfund is doing. Swedfund is Sweden’s development finance institution and this field of development cooperation is growing in importance, both within the EU and internationally.
Number of patient visits Swedfund have contributed to through our investments
~ 6m
Number of loans SMEs
~ 450,000
Percent of the portfolio companies that have seen positive job growth
61%
We have set the bar high as regards transparency and reporting back on the development effects and financial results that our investments create, with sustainability at the core of the investment process. Although our financial position is very strong, in order to continue to grow and increase our contribution to Agenda 2030 further, we are dependent on annual capital injections.
The world is currently being battered by a number of parallel crises – which areas do you see as being most important for Swedfund to focus on?
Unfortunately, the situation facing the world, with numerous crises all happening at the same time, is leading to a marked increase in poverty and an increasing need for sustainable investments. Through its contribution to the sustainable development of the private sector in developing countries, Swedfund is an important part of the solution. I believe it is vital that we continue to contribute to the creation of more jobs with decent working conditions. Our investments lead to the creation not only of direct jobs, but also indirect jobs at subcontracting level, as a result of increased consumption, etc.
Another vital area will be to continue to address the challenges that we see linked to climate change. The climate crisis is leading to increased poverty, and it is therefore pleasing to see that we have received a capital injection specifically earmarked for climate investments. We will continue to work on our priority sectors, while at the same time including and addressing climate impacts to an even greater extent. We have also begun work to improve access to food through investments in the production and processing of food.
In October, the board travelled to Nairobi, where Swedfund has its regional office. This gave the board the opportunity to visit several portfolio companies and to see the impacts that Swedfund’s investments are having, and the importance of development finance institutions to contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth.
The world’s needs and challenges are inextricably intertwined – what is Swedfund’s unique contribution to achieving the goals of agenda 2030?
Swedfund has a clear mission, generates good results and continues to grow. At the same time, we are a small player in an international perspective. This makes it particularly important that we work with other actors. We currently have an excellent collaboration with our European colleagues within EDFI, along with a deep and close collaboration with our Nordic colleagues. Swedfund has built an excellent organizational structure and strong expertise in the sectors that we have chosen to focus on. This means that in many cases we are a much sought-after partner and that, through cooperation, we can benefit from the expertise of others. Working together, we can achieve results which, from a number of dimensions, have a positive impact on individuals, communities and the development and future competitiveness of the countries concerned. Our unique contribution is that we, in partnership with others, carry out investments which create ripples on the water.
Catrin Fransson
Chair of the Board
The world is currently being battered by a number of parallel crises – which areas do you see as being most important for Swedfund to focus on?
Unfortunately, the situation facing the world, with numerous crises all happening at the same time, is leading to a marked increase in poverty and an increasing need for sustainable investments. Through its contribution to the sustainable development of the private sector in developing countries, Swedfund is an important part of the solution. I believe it is vital that we continue to contribute to the creation of more jobs with decent working conditions. Our investments lead to the creation not only of direct jobs, but also indirect jobs at subcontracting level, as a result of increased consumption, etc.
Another vital area will be to continue to address the challenges that we see linked to climate change. The climate crisis is leading to increased poverty, and it is therefore pleasing to see that we have received a capital injection specifically earmarked for climate investments. We will continue to work on our priority sectors, while at the same time including and addressing climate impacts to an even greater extent. We have also begun work to improve access to food through investments in the production and processing of food.
In October, the board travelled to Nairobi, where Swedfund has its regional office. This gave the board the opportunity to visit several portfolio companies and to see the impacts that Swedfund’s investments are having, and the importance of development finance institutions to contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth.
The world’s needs and challenges are inextricably intertwined – what is Swedfund’s unique contribution to achieving the goals of agenda 2030?
Swedfund has a clear mission, generates good results and continues to grow. At the same time, we are a small player in an international perspective. This makes it particularly important that we work with other actors. We currently have an excellent collaboration with our European colleagues within EDFI, along with a deep and close collaboration with our Nordic colleagues. Swedfund has built an excellent organizational structure and strong expertise in the sectors that we have chosen to focus on. This means that in many cases we are a much sought-after partner and that, through cooperation, we can benefit from the expertise of others. Working together, we can achieve results which, from a number of dimensions, have a positive impact on individuals, communities and the development and future competitiveness of the countries concerned. Our unique contribution is that we, in partnership with others, carry out investments which create ripples on the water.
Catrin Fransson
Chair of the Board
