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.

Finnfund's portfolio removed 303,000 tCO₂e-ekvby Finnfund investees (2023)

Supported jobs 304,000 by Finnfund investees (2023)

Annual Report 2023

Finnfund had 202 investment decision in 55 countries (2024)

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

two young black people sitting back to back outside in a park, using their phones

Respecting human rights in the digital sector

The rapid growth of the digital sector brings new opportunities for advancing human rights…

Finnfund’s Kuutti Kilpeläinen: “Fibre networks are the best way to bridge the digital divide and invest with impact in emerging markets”

A major investment theme for next year: fibre networks. According to Kilpeläinen, fibre networks…

Finland and the EU launch major programme targeting to mobilise up to 2 billion euros for projects that advance digitalisation in Africa, Asia and Latin America

Finnfund, a Finnish impact investor, is joining forces with the European Union to launch…

Finnfund advances Child-Lens Investing in the digital infrastructure and solutions sector

Did you know Finnfund supported UNICEF in the development of the Child-Lens Investing Framework?…

Finnfund and OeEB invest in CRDB Bank Burundi to support financial inclusion

Finnfund, the Finnish development financier and impact investor, and OeEB, the Development Bank of…

Merja Rissanen returns to Finnfund as Chief People Officer: “Culture does not emerge on its own”

Merja Rissanen has been appointed as Chief People Officer at Finnfund and joins the…

CFO Insights into Q2 2025

In the first half of 2025, Finnfund focused on executing its new strategy, including…
Lots of traffic in the streets of Lagos in Nigeria

Finnfund’s economist Tangeni Shatiwa: “Investor confidence in Nigeria got a boost”

The current government of Nigeria has implemented a series of bold policy reforms to…
Poa staff member talking to a person in a street

Finnfund closed a 4 million US dollar debt investment with Kenyan Poa Internet to expand affordable broadband

Finnfund closed a 4 million US dollar debt investment with Poa Internet Kenya Ltd.…

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 other international investors, the first modern medical liquid oxygen plant…

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…