Finnfund issues a EUR 100 million green bond

Finnfund, a Finnish development financier and impact investor, issues a EUR 100 million green bond.

The 10-year bond bears interest at the rate of 3.5% per annum. The bond offering was placed to international investors, including a portion of dedicated green bond investors/portfolios. The bond represents Finnfund’s first ever green transaction and second issuance under its Sustainability Bond Framework established in September 2022.

The proceeds from the issue will be used in accordance with the green project categories of Finnfund’s Sustainability Bond Framework to finance and/or refinance eligible green lending, equity investments, and mezzanine financing mainly targeting, for example, the objective of climate change mitigation and adaptation and/or environmentally sustainable management of living natural resources.

Net proceeds will be allocated to eligible projects with the objective to mobilise debt capital to support Finnfund’s mission to generate lasting impact by investing in businesses that solve global development challenges.

In addition, it contributes to Finnfund’s goal to foster sustainable development by providing investment opportunities for private investors. In its strategy, adopted in January 2022, Finnfund sets one of its targets to fund 50% of its investments with private capital by 2030. Mobilising private capital is key to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing countries, given that the UN estimates the financing gap at USD 2.5 trillion per year.

Jaakko Kangasniemi, Managing Director, CEO at Finnfund said: “Sustainable, innovative businesses and investors play an integral role in solving both global and local challenges, such as climate change mitigation and adaptation, and biodiversity loss. Capital markets are also vital in the transition away from fossil fuels. We are glad to have such a strong support for our impact investing activity and our mission to foster sustainable development and green transition.”

Jefferies GmbH acted as the Sole Arranger and Lead Manager in connection with the issue of the bond.

Andrey Medvedev, Senior Vice President at Jefferies said: “We are delighted to have assisted Finnfund issuing its longest private placement to date and showcasing its innovative green projects. This deal demonstrates Finnfund’s appeal to a diversified international investor base and cements its position as a leading development financing agency.”

To follow the work within sustainable finance and to access the Sustainability Bond Framework, the Second Party Opinion and the Sustainability Bond Reports, please visit: https://www.finnfund.fi/en/investing/investments/sustainability-bond/.

More information:
Olli Sinnemaa, Chief Financial Officer, tel. +358 50 422 6478, olli.sinnemaa@finnfund.fi
Kirsi Pere, Communications Manager, tel. +358 40 620 9767, kirsi.pere@finnfund.fi (media contacts)

Finnfund is a Finnish development financier and impact investor. We build a sustainable future and generate lasting impact by investing in businesses that solve global development challenges. We invest 200–250 million euros in 20–30 companies in developing countries each year. Our focus sectors include renewable energy, sustainable forestry, sustainable agriculture, financial institutions, and digital infrastructure and solutions. Today Finnfund’s investments, commitments, and investment decisions total about 1.22 billion euros, half of them in Africa. The company has over 100 employees based in Helsinki and Nairobi. For more information, please visit www.finnfund.fi/en.