Impact

Responsible companies play an important role in solving major global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change and biodiversity loss.

Investing in impact

Finnfund’s mission as a development financier and impact investor is to build a sustainable future and to generate a lasting impact by investing in businesses that solve global development challenges.

Responsible companies play an important role in solving major global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and biodiversity loss, and in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Using our leverage as a financier, we encourage our investees to constantly improve their sustainability practices towards people, the environment, and society.

Vaikuttavuuden luominen Finnfundissa.

Finnfund's portfolio removed 98,000 tCO₂e-ekv more than emitted (2022)

Finnfund's investees granted 5,393,000 mobile loans of which 75% to women (2022)

Annual Report 2023

Finnfund had 198 investment decision in 53 countries (2023)

We mobilise funding

Many projects that have a significant development impact would never take off without long-term financing provided by Finnfund and other development financiers. Finnfund’s funding is often catalytic because it helps projects to raise additional commercial financing.

We also strive to mobilise funding to enhance sustainable development and climate actions in developing countries. Increasing the share of private funding in our funding base is also one of our strategic goals.

“Our mandate and strategy put impact and sustainability at the very core of our investment operations."

Towards Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, the UN Member States agreed to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. From the very beginning it has been clear that companies need to be involved; it is estimated that developing countries will require fresh investments worth up to USD 4,000 billion. Finnfund is one of the Finnish government’s instruments for mobilising such funding.

It is also clear that companies alone cannot resolve all development challenges; different types of actions and actors are needed.

This picture shows examples of how Finnfund’s investments promote the achievement of the 17 sustainable development goals.

News

Finnfund’s website renewed

Finnfund has renewed the company website. The aim has been to both renew the…

Finnfund’s AA+ rating affirmed by Fitch Ratings

The credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has affirmed Finnfund’s credit rating at ‘AA+’ with…

Cassava Technologies receives USD 90 million equity investment for expanding digital infrastructure across Africa 

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation Ltd (Finnfund),…

Survey: Finnfund valued as a partner – expertise and added value through cooperation

Professional, responsible, innovative, reliable, and pragmatic. These are some of the characteristics attributed to…

The risk of not investing: Failing to provide digital access poses risks to achieving SDGs

The risk of not investing. That is how one could summarise the linkage between…

Stronger US dollar under Trump 2.0 – what are the impacts on emerging and developing markets?

Earlier last month, Donald Trump made a remarkable political comeback by being re-elected as…

Season’s Greetings

Best wishes for the holiday season and a happy New Year!

Finnfund’s 10 million euro equity investment boosts the expansion of fiber network in Nepal

Finnfund invests in WorldLink Communications Ltd, the largest internet service provider in Nepal and…
Kuvassa Olli Sinnemaa

CFO Insight into Q3 2024

The first three quarters of the year have been marked by stable growth. At…

Finnfund invests in an energy tech company that helps Africa’s power sector distribute electricity more efficiently

Africa’s power grids face significant challenges, with utilities struggling to provide consistent service due…

Impact stories

Impact stories
Person inspecting the oxygen containers

Case: Hewatele’s medical liquid oxygen plant will revolutionise Kenya’s public healthcare

Funded by Finnfund and four other international investors’ USD 20 million investment, the first…

Case: Bridging the digital divide in South Africa

Nokia Director Toni Pellegrino, South Africa: “Finnish technology and knowledge will make a big…
Kuvassa Esther Mwakali, Penda Healthin aluepäällikkö

Case: “I never knew I was a natural born leader” – Penda Health saw something special in Esther Mwikali

Esther Mwikali joined Penda Health in 2015 with previous experience from a hospital in Nairobi.…
Kuvassa Zhanna Zhakupova

Case: Accelerating female leadership in Asia

Determined to be a leader Zhanna Zhakupova is the Executive Director of Microfinance Organization Asian…

Case: At Penda Health, career paths are open for everyone

When Finnfund assesses the gender equality in the portfolio companies, Penda Health always stands…
Two paramedics carrying a patient to an ambulance

Case: CIM Santé Group: Developing the private healthcare sector in Morocco

In Morocco, the resources of the current healthcare system remain limited, in view of…
Employee of EthioChicken working in a hen house and holding and egg carton

Case: EthioChicken – Improving food security and quality of life in the midst of turmoil

EthioChicken: Improving food security and quality of life in the midst of turmoil “I…
Person using a sewing machine and a child standing behind the person

Case: JUMO brings financial services to mobile users

“Poor access to basic saving and loan facilities is a major problem” How can…
View of the nursery of MLR Forestal

Case: MLR Forestal – Sustainable agroforestry in Nicaragua

“This is an amazing hot spot for biodiversity,” summarises Harold Gordillo, Environmental and Social Adviser…

Case: Miro Forestry leads the way for sustainable FSC certified plantation forestry in West Africa

Ghana’s forest could be exhausted by 2030 “Over the last 100 years the forestry…
Oasis

Case: Oasis Credit is the first international micro and small business lender in Uzbekistan

“A chance to promote financial inclusion” In 2021, Finnfund decided to join forces with I.D.…
KVTC worker leaning against a tree in a forest

Case: Planting forest 650 hectares per year

In most parts of Africa forestry is synonomous to the destruction of natural forests.…

Case: Sanergy – Circular economy in Nairobi, fertiliser and feed from latrine waste

In July 2018, water and sanitation experts from the Kenyan state and public sector…
Naiset työskentelevät omenoiden käsittelylinjastolla

Case: Silverlands – Better harvests and income for small-scale farmers

Better farming practices and buyers for harvests African agriculture consists predominantly of small-scale farmers…
three persons sitting down at the porch

Case: The New Forests Company – Social survey provided valuable feedback from tree out-growers

Is the company’s impact on your community more positive or negative? What is your…

Case: Twiga connects merchants and food production

A heartily smiling Naomi Wambui, 74, sits on the steps of an apartment building,…
Landscape view of a large solar panels

Case: Valle Solar – Clean solar energy in rural Honduras

Solar energy replaces imported oil and creates jobs Clean electricity for nearly half a…
Photo of group of women with Purvi Bhavsar

Case: Women leadership in microfinance

Purvi Bhavsar is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Pahal Financial Services Private Limited, a…
Man feeding fish from a boat. Throwing food to the water.

Case: Yalelo – Voices of the employees – piloting a video survey in Zambia

“I think one if the most neglected aspects in many companies is understanding where…