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We publish news and press releases about our investments and other current topics.

Finnfund’s investment bridges the digital divide in South Africa with help of technology from Nokia

Approximately 80 % of homes in South Africa remain unserved by fast and affordable broadband internet. Fiber access is expensive and limited to affluent suburbs, perpetuating the digital divide. Moreover, micropayments are prohibitively expensive due to high bank transaction fees leading to a cash-based mindset. Finnfund has decided to invest 2 million euros in the […]

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Martti Ahtisaari in memoriam

We would like to express our deepest condolences for the passing of the former President of Finland, the Nobel Peace laureate, and former member of the Board of Directors of Finnfund. President Martti Ahtisaari served as board chair in 1986-88 and was otherwise an important supporter for the company in the 1980s and 1990s. His […]

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EU and Finnfund launch the Africa Connected Programme to mobilise more than €1 billion for Sub-Saharan Africa’s digital infrastructure

At the Global Gateway Forum, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, and Finnfund CEO, Jaakko Kangasniemi, have officially signed the Africa Connected Programme, a landmark agreement aimed at mobilizing more than €1 billion in sustainable investments for digital infrastructure and digital service platforms in Sub-Saharan Africa. Finnfund becomes a first-time implementing partner of EFSD+ […]

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The global economy has shown remarkable resilience, but low-income countries are suffering from the scars of recent shocks

The global economy has undergone unusual crises and volatility over the past years. According to the IMF’s just-released outlook, the global economy has shown resilience and continues to grow but at a slowing pace. The recent slowdown is more pronounced in advanced economies than in emerging and developing countries. Overall, global growth in 2023-24 will […]

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We are looking for a Chief Investment Officer

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 digital instrastructure, sustainable forestry and agriculture, financial institutions, and clean energy. […]

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Finnfund invests in Metier Capital Growth Fund III to foster growth companies and job creation in Sub-Saharan Africa

Finnfund, a Finnish development financier and impact investor, has announced a USD 15 million commitment to Metier Capital Growth Fund III. The fund has a geographic focus on Sub-Saharan Africa and is expected to make eight to twelve equity and equity-related investments into mid-market companies with high growth features in sectors, including ICT and manufacturing […]

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Markus Pietikäinen has accepted a position outside of Finnfund

Markus Pietikäinen, Chief Investment Officer, has accepted a position outside of Finnfund. He will continue working in his current position until the end of 2023. Finnfund has initiated the process to appoint his successor. “I am honoured to have had the opportunity to lead Finnfund’s Investment operations for the last seven years. We as Finnfund […]

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Connecting the dots: How to bridge the investment gap in the clean energy sector in Sub-Saharan Africa?

A knowledge sharing and networking event between Finland-based development funders was organised to showcase and provide insights on financing for and working with local companies in the region. It also provided an opportunity to forge new partnerships and to explore how financing could be brought closer to the local companies. EEP Africa, Finnfund and Finnpartnership […]

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Finnfund provides 15 million US dollar loan to Ipak Yuli Bank in Uzbekistan

In Uzbekistan, access to finance for small and medium enterprises has been limited and the status of self-employed entrepreneurs has not been recognised, often leaving them outside formal finance. Ipak Yuli is one of the leading privately owned commercial banks in Uzbekistan focusing on private sector financing. With Finnfund’s 15 million US dollar senior loan, […]

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Event: Clean energy in Africa – closing investment gaps

Join us on 28 September in Helsinki or online! What does the clean energy sector look like today in Sub-Saharan Africa? What are the biggest opportunities and bottlenecks? What lessons are there for Finnish and other companies and actors interested in or already involved with the market? What type of funding is available for companies […]

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