Swedfund International

?? Breaking news: Swedfund has invested EUR 20 million in Groupe COFINA, a leading mesofinance institution that provides loans to businesses in West and Central Africa to enable them to develop and grow. ? Access to finance remains a major challenge for MSMEs across the region, compounded by limited financial literacy and income instability. Traditional banks tend to overlook these smaller businesses due to perceived risk and lack of collateral, leaving a significant segment of entrepreneurs underserved. Groupe COFINA's model of bridging microfinance and traditional banking has proven effective in filling this gap, making them a compelling partner for development finance institutions such as Swedfund International. "We are committed to supporting impactful companies across West Africa and we believe that this transaction will contribute to further establishing our presence in the region," says Kitanha Toure, CPA.CA, CFA, Swedfund's Regional Director for West Africa. ? The investment will channel funds to COFINA's subsidiaries in C?te d’Ivoire and Senegal, including FIN'Elle, which focuses on women entrepreneurs. "Our investment will support entrepreneurship in West Africa and empower underserved groups, including women entrepreneurs," says Bj?rn Areskog, Senior Investment Manager at Swedfund.? ? As women entrepreneurs face disproportionate barriers to formal financial services, such support is not only important for increasing access to capital, but also an opportunity to promote gender equality in the economy. ? In ??: Mohizi is a small-scale, women-led plantain chips producer in C?te d'Ivoire that has been able to formalise and grow its business with loans and support from COFINA. ? Read more: https://bit.ly/3ZevNSV ? #Swedfund #FinancialInclusion #WestAfrica #GenderEquality #MSME #SDG8 #SDG5 #Agenda2030 Groupe COFINA, COFINA Sénégal, COFINA C?te d'Ivoire

?? A new chapter of increased collaboration between Sweden and the Philippines. ???????? Sweden enters into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Philippines on development cooperation with Swedfund International and financing from the Swedish export credit system (SEK Svensk Exportkredit, EKN Exportkreditn?mnden). The MoU was signed by Swedish Minister for Infrastructure and Housing, Andreas Carlson and Philippine's Secretary of Finance Ralph G. Recto, in the presence of Swedish Ambassador Harald Fries and industrialist Marcus Wallenberg. ? ? This agreement will unlock new financing for projects in energy, transport, and digitalisation. ? Minister Andreas Carlson remarked, “Sweden is committed to further increase its bilateral relationship with the Philippines, not least given the governments Focus Asia strategy. The economic and strategic links between our regions are undeniable.?The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding on export financing represents yet another step in the deepening of cooperation between Sweden and the Philippines." ? ?? Swedfund’s Project Accelerator has been active in the Philippines since 2017, focusing on sustainable public transport and clean energy solutions. ?? Read more:?https://lnkd.in/dqFfaPYw Regeringskansliet, Utrikesdepartementet, Embassy of Sweden in Manila, SEK Svensk Exportkredit, Business Sweden, EKN Exportkreditn?mnden #Swedfund #ProjectAccelerator #Philippines #MoU #TeamSweden #DevelopmentFinancing #Infrastructure

Last week, Swedfund Project Accelerator had a successful visit to #Brazil, presenting ongoing projects and exploring new cooperation opportunities with state and federal authorities. Swedfund’s Anna ?lgevik participated in a roundtable on #biomethane together with representatives from the #biogas ecosystem in Brazil. The event was part of the Sweden-Brazil Green Transition Partnership. ?? The visit continued with a trip to Brasília, where Swedfund met with the Ministério das Cidades to discuss potential collaboration in urban development, mobility, and sanitation. Obrigado Brasil! Special thanks to Andreas Rentner and Pricila Carmo Carmo at Business Sweden, Brazil for coordinating Swedfund’s visit. #Swedfund #ProjectAccelerator #Brazil #TeamSweden

Swedfund has reaffirmed its support for the development of the biogas sector in Brazil. During a visit to #S?oPaulo, Swedfund signed a new agreement with the S?o Paulo State Secretariat for Environment, Infrastructure and Logistics (SEMIL) to launch the next phase of their cooperation. The signing was held in the presence of Tobias Karlstr?m (State Secretary to the Swedish Prime Minister), Natália Resende Andrade ávila (Secretary of the Environment of the State of S?o Paulo), Karin Wallensteen (Swedish Ambassador to Brazil), ?Andreas Rentner (Trade Commissioner to Brazil, Business Sweden) and Anna ?lgevik (Senior Manager, Swedfund). ????????? ? ? The collaboration focuses on expanding the production and use of biogas and biomethane - clean energy sources derived from organic waste. Key goals include exploring better ways to transport biomethane and developing business models to turn by-products from biogas plants, such as organic fertiliser, into valuable resources. These efforts are part of S?o Paulo's strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable energy solutions, particularly for transportation. ? ?? By advancing biogas technology and local production, the project also supports economic growth and innovation in renewable energy, benefiting both the environment and the economy. #Swedfund #ProjectAccelerator #TeamSweden #Brazil #Biogas #ClimateAction

Today, Swedfund International had the pleasure of welcoming Sweden's new Minister for Development Cooperation and Trade, Benjamin Dousa, to our Stockholm office. Min. Dousa addressed all Swedfund employees, emphasising the importance of sustainable and impactful investments and projects in developing countries. ? The Minister highlighted Swedfund's very important role in empowering developing countries by supporting private sector growth, creating decent jobs and fighting climate change. He also emphasised Sweden's focus on Ukraine's resilience and reconstruction, reflected in the earmarked capital allocation Swedfund has received. #Swedfund #DevelopmentFinance #SwedishMFA

?? Tomorrow Stefan Falk, Gunilla Nilsson and Sophie Taintor from Swedfund International will attend the 4th International Conference: ReBuild Ukraine 2024 in Warsaw. The conference brings together leaders from the public and private sectors to discuss the reconstruction of Ukraine's infrastructure, focusing on sustainable approaches in #construction and #energy.? ? We look forward to connecting with potential investees, public agencies, and partners to explore projects and investments focused on resilient rebuilding and promoting energy independence in #Ukraine. Our Local Advisor, Bohdan Senchuk, will also be joining us. ? #Swedfund #StandWithUkraine #RebuildUkraine

Now hiring experienced project managers! ?? Do you want to contribute to more sustainable solutions in developing countries? Swedfund’s #ProjectAccelerator supports the public sector to prepare and advance sustainable infrastructure projects in sectors: ? Energy ?? Sustainable transport ? Circular solutions ?? Digitalisation ?? Healthcare By providing grants for feasibility studies, Swedfund can contribute to more sustainable and bankable projects that specifically address local needs and contexts. In addition, we support local capacity building to develop and manage projects and the solutions implemented, to ensure effectiveness and long-term impact. Find out more and apply: https://lnkd.in/dbnSww8A #Swedfund #ProjectManager #ProjectAccelerator #GlobalGoals #Agenda2030

?? Swedfund's integrated report 2023, Voices for Development Finance, has won two gold awards at Sweden's annual publishing prize, Publishingpriset! ? ?? Digital Report: Awarded for "interesting reading, accessible format and good navigation," our digital report demonstrates our dedication to delivering engaging content focused on the impact of our investments and projects. ? ?? Website: Recognised for its "sophisticated design language, good use of effects and balanced typography, and accessible digital storytelling." ? In line with our commitment to transparency, we integrate our financial and non-financial results, explaining Swedfund International's mission and impact as a development finance institution, with a central focus on our role in accelerating the #2030Agenda. Next up is the European Excellence Awards in Berlin, where we are nominated in the category Annual Report & CSR Report! To the report: https://ir.swedfund.se/ ? #Swedfund #AnnualReport #PublishingPrize #DevelopmentFinance

Swedfund International’s Karin Kronhoffer attended this year's World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings, which took place at a crucial moment in time for advancing cooperation in development finance and investing for impact and development. Takeaways and highlights include: ? ?? The International Monetary Fund estimates that climate finance needs in developing countries alone will reach $2 trillion by 2030—a fivefold increase from 2020—underscoring the need for urgent mobilisation. ?? Over the next decade, 1.2 billion young people will reach working age, while only 420 million jobs are expected to be created. ?? To support sustainable economic growth and development, accelerating private sector investment and conducting technical feasibility studies are crucial to establishing bankable infrastructure projects in regions that need it most. Equally, efforts in adaptation, new technologies, carbon credits, and safeguarding of biodiversity must be intensified. ???? #Swedfund, along with like-minded partners European DFIs - EDFI, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, and FinDev Canada, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding. This collaborative effort will expand our joint capacity to invest in impactful private sector solutions that can drive change and improve lives. ??Read more: https://lnkd.in/d-F4aK6S #Swedfund #DevelopmentFinance #DFI #EDFI #WorldBank #WBGMeetings

?? Administrativ koordinator s?kes till Swedfunds huvudkontor! ??? Swedfund International ?r Sveriges utvecklingsfinansi?r med uppdrag att minska fattigdomen genom h?llbara investeringar i utvecklingsl?nder. Vi s?ker nu en engagerad administrativ koordinator som vill bidra till v?rt arbete. Har du erfarenhet av att st?dja st?rre team, ?r l?sningsorienterad och kommunikativ? D? kan detta vara rollen f?r dig! Du kommer att arbeta n?ra Swedfunds tv? st?rsta enheter – Investeringsorganisationen och ESG/Impact. Du kommer att vara ett administrativt st?d till ledningsgruppen. Vi s?ker dig som har erfarenhet av en liknande roll, g?rna i en internationell milj?. Du ?r strukturerad, noggrann och har goda kunskaper i svenska och engelska. ?? Hos oss f?r du m?jlighet att vara en del av ett engagerat team som arbetar f?r en b?ttre omv?rld. Vi erbjuder en trivsam arbetsmilj? d?r du kan utvecklas och g?ra skillnad. ? ?r du den vi s?ker? Ans?k h?r:?https://lnkd.in/gA8cyhpk #Jobb #Karri?r #AdministrativKoordinator #Swedfund #H?llbaraInvesteringar #Utvecklingsfinansiering