Swedfund International AB

Overview

Established in 1979, Swedfund International AB is Sweden's development finance institution dedicated to combating poverty through sustainable investments in developing countries. Operating as a state-owned entity under the Ministry of Finance, Swedfund focuses on fostering economic growth and reducing poverty by investing in private sector businesses and supporting public infrastructure projects. The institution's operations are financed through capital injections from the Swedish government and returns generated from its investment portfolio. Swedfund's mission aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing the reduction of inequality, promotion of decent work, climate action, women's economic empowerment, and capital mobilization. Swedfund employs two primary instruments to fulfill its mission: making direct investments in the private sector and financing feasibility studies through the Project Accelerator targeting the public sector. These approaches are mutually reinforcing, enabling Swedfund to work holistically on its development objectives. The institution's investments aim to create jobs with decent working conditions and increase access to essential products and services such as electricity, food, and digital connectivity. By promoting innovation and enabling companies to meet international standards, Swedfund contributes to local value creation and economic diversification in developing countries. With approximately 100 employees, Swedfund operates from its head office in Stockholm, Sweden, and maintains regional offices in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire; Nairobi, Kenya; and Kyiv, Ukraine. The institution's leadership includes CEO Maria Håkansson, who has been with Swedfund since 2018, bringing extensive experience in finance, mergers and acquisitions, sales, digitalization, and new business models. Under her leadership, Swedfund continues to play a pivotal role in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change, contributing to the creation of decent jobs and increased access to essential products and services in developing countries.