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 with Finnish added value.

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 forestry investments requestered 301,000 tCO₂e and avoided 126,000 tCO₂e of emissions (2024)

Supported jobs by Finnfund investees 291,000 of which 38% are for women (2024)

Finnfund had 188 investment decision in 85 countries (2025)

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

Annual Report cover

Finnfund’s portfolio totals 857 million euros – more focus on advancing digitalisation and mobilising private capital through EU guarantees

Global tensions, shifting market conditions and growing geopolitical challenges shaped Finnfund’s operating context in…
Toucan Forestal view in Panama

Finnfund invests USD 15 million in Toucan Forestal to restore forests and advance nature‑positive impact in Panama

Finnfund, the Finnish development financier and impact investor, has signed a 15 million US…

Finnfund makes its first investment in Kyrgyzstan with a 10 million US dollar loan to Bailyk Finance, one of Kyrgyzstan’s largest microfinance institutions

Finnfund, the Finnish development financier and impact investor, has signed a 10 million US…

Finnfund Digital Access Impact Fund I invests in Ecofy to accelerate India’s retail green finance market

Ecofy, a pioneering green NBFC backed by Eversource Capital, today announced the successful closure…

Finnfund’s Economist Tangeni Shatiwa: A weaker dollar is steering global investors toward emerging markets

International investors are now allocating funds to emerging market (EM) assets at the fastest…
Hanna Loikkanen Chief Investment Officer Finnfund

Finnfund’s Hanna Loikkanen: Impact investing captivates private investors

The allure of impact investing among private investors is surging, with an increasing number…

Finnfund expands support for digital infrastructure and climate action in South Sudan with follow-on investment in CREI

Finnfund, the Finnish development financier and impact investor, makes a follow-on investment in Communication…

Finnfund’s Uusihakala: “Fixed broadband is the key to tackling poverty in developing countries”

The three digital divides The Coverage Gap refers to people living in areas without…

Finnfund strengthens support to women entrepreneurs in Pakistan through Kashf Foundation

Finnfund has announced a follow-on loan of 10 million US dollars to Kashf Foundation…

Finnfund’s Jussi Tourunen: “Energy solutions impact our planet’s future—Planetary boundaries now guide investment decisions”

Investing in energy has become an increasingly central theme for development finance institutions such…

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…