Swedfund

Swedfund International AB is a government-owned investment firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1979. The firm specializes in direct and fund of fund investments, focusing on emerging markets in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Swedfund does not invest in Swedish businesses or in sectors such as weapons, tobacco, or alcohol. It seeks to provide risk capital through various financial instruments, typically investing between SEK 5 million and SEK 100 million. The firm targets seed, start-ups, and mid to late-stage ventures, often taking a minority stake in its portfolio companies while ensuring its investments do not exceed one-third of the total investment. Swedfund aims for an exit within five to ten years and actively participates in the governance of its investments by taking a Board seat and engaging in investment committees. With an additional office in Nairobi, Kenya, Swedfund is dedicated to fostering sustainable development through responsible investment.

Staffan Ahl

Director, Swedpartnership

Björn Areskog

Investment Manager

Jonas Armtoft

Senior Investment Manager of Financial Institutions and Funds

Erik Bratsberg

Investment Manager

Anders Craft

Senior Investment Manager

Sunay Gupta

Investment Manager

Peter Hallbom

Investment Manager

Sandra Heidmann

Investment Manager

Maria Håkansson

Managing Director

Lotta Jarleryd

Chief Financial Officer

Jonas Kolijn

Investment Manager

Karin Kronhöffer

Director Strategy and Communication

Jakob Larsson

Investment Manager

Fredrik Linton

Director of Investment Operations and ESG

Helene Lundkvist

Director of Finance and Administration

Jane Niedra

Head of Financial Inclusion

Gunilla Nilsson

Senior Investment Manager

Audrey Obara

Senior Investment Manager

Johan Selander

CFO

Martin Stenlund

Investment Manager

Gerth Svensson

Acting CEO

Elin Thesleff

Investment Manager

Gustav Thorén

Investment Manager

Esther Wachira

Investment Manager

Tomas Wadström

Senior Investment Manager

Fredrik Wijkander

Director of Investment Operations

Markus Wilkens

Senior Investment Manager

Past deals in Southeastern Africa

Serengeti Energy

Venture Round in 2022
Serengeti Energy abides by the requirement that all of its operations have a beneficial impact on markets throughout the community. As such, it invests in and co-develops small and medium-sized renewable energy projects. They concentrate on the design, building, and operation of new and renovated independent power plants. Additionally, they offer installation and maintenance services for semiconductors used in renewable energy.

d.light

Venture Round in 2021
d.light is a company that designs, manufactures, and distributes solar lighting and power products, primarily aimed at households and small businesses lacking reliable electricity. Founded in 2007 as a for-profit social enterprise, d.light has developed a range of products, including solar lanterns, home systems, and various appliances, to serve over 2 billion people globally. With distribution hubs in East and West Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and the United States, the company has reached over 65 million individuals, providing affordable and accessible solar solutions. d.light is committed to transforming energy usage and payment methods, enhancing the quality of life for users in rural and semi-urban areas through its innovative solar-powered products. The company operates from its headquarters in Palo Alto, California, with additional offices in key locations such as Shenzhen, China; Gurgaon, India; Nairobi, Kenya; Kampala, Uganda; and Lagos, Nigeria.

Kasha

Venture Round in 2020
Kasha is a platform for women’s health products and information serving women across all socioeconomic levels in urban and rural areas.

d.light

Series E in 2018
d.light is a company that designs, manufactures, and distributes solar lighting and power products, primarily aimed at households and small businesses lacking reliable electricity. Founded in 2007 as a for-profit social enterprise, d.light has developed a range of products, including solar lanterns, home systems, and various appliances, to serve over 2 billion people globally. With distribution hubs in East and West Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and the United States, the company has reached over 65 million individuals, providing affordable and accessible solar solutions. d.light is committed to transforming energy usage and payment methods, enhancing the quality of life for users in rural and semi-urban areas through its innovative solar-powered products. The company operates from its headquarters in Palo Alto, California, with additional offices in key locations such as Shenzhen, China; Gurgaon, India; Nairobi, Kenya; Kampala, Uganda; and Lagos, Nigeria.

UAP Group

Venture Round in 2012
UAP Group is a pan-African financial services group with interests in insurance, investment management, property development and investments, securities brokerage and financial advisory. The history of the Group can be traced back by over 90 years while recent expansion and growth in the East African market have made UAP one of the key players in the financial services sector in the region. Currently, the group has businesses operating in Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, DRC and Tanzania.