Finnfund

Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation Ltd. (Finnfund) is a development finance company based in Helsinki, Finland, that specializes in providing long-term risk capital for private projects primarily in developing countries and transition economies. Established in 1980, Finnfund focuses on direct investments in small and medium enterprises, offering equity capital, mezzanine financing, and investment loans, typically ranging from EUR 1 million to EUR 10 million. The firm actively seeks to co-invest with Finnish companies and supports ventures utilizing Finnish technology, while also prioritizing projects that generate significant environmental or social benefits. Finnfund strategically avoids investments in sectors such as weapons production, gambling, and activities involving forced or child labor, adhering to strict ethical guidelines. Its investment areas include agribusiness, cleantech, renewable energy, health services, and infrastructure, with a particular interest in countries such as China, Bangladesh, and various African nations. Finnfund aims to contribute to sustainable development by financing projects that align with Finland’s development cooperation objectives.

Jussi Ahonen

Senior Investment Manager

Helena Arlander

Deputy CEO

Arnaud Defrance

Investment Manager

Jaakko Kangasniemi

Managing Director, CEO

Kuutti Kilpeläinen

Investment Manager

Mikko Kuuskoski

Associate Director

Noah Law

Investment Manager

Minnamari Marttila

Director of Administration

Jari Matero

Associate Director

Ari Nironen

Senior Investment Manager

Ilkka Norjamäki

Senior Investment Manager

Markus Pentikäinen

Investment Manager

Markus Pietikäinen

CIO

Johanna Raehalme

Investment Manager

Pasi Rajala

Director of Communications

Ulla-Maija Rantapuska

Investment Manager

Paula Saarinen

Senior Investment Manager

Niklas Simola

Investment Associate

Olli Sinnemaa

CFO

Tuomas Suurpää

Senior Investment Manager

Helena Teppana

Associate Director

Antti Urvas

Associate Director

32 past transactions

Wave Mobile Money

Debt Financing in 2022
Wave Mobile Money provides an app-based financial solution to save, transfer, and borrow money. Wave Mobile Money is on a mission to make Africa the first cashless continent. On a continent where less than 10% of the population has a bank account, Wave is building the first modern financial network — no account fees, instantly available, and accepted everywhere! It is building life-changing financial infrastructure. When mobile money succeeded in Kenya, it lifted about a million people out of poverty. And yet, over 10 years later, most Africans still lack access to affordable ways to save, transfer or borrow the money they need to build businesses or provide for their families. Wave is solving this problem by using technology to build a radically inclusive and extremely affordable financial network.

TPL Insurance

Venture Round in 2022
TPL Insurance Limited provides general insurance products and services in Pakistan. It offers auto, home, micro and group health, travel, fire and allied perils, business interruption or consequential loss, terrorism, engineering, marine, and Takaful insurance products, as well miscellaneous insurance products that cover losses for cash in safe, cash in transit, fidelity guarantee, workmen compensation, plate glass, and neon signs. The company was formerly known as TPL Direct Insurance Limited and changed its name to TPL Insurance Limited in December 2017. The company was incorporated in 1992 and is headquartered in Karachi, Pakistan. TPL Insurance Limited is a subsidiary of TPL Corp Limited.

d.light

Venture Round in 2022
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.

Indifi Technologies

Series D in 2021
Indifi Technologies Pvt. Ltd. operates an online platform that connects lenders and borrowers to provide loans. The company offers different lifecycle support services for lenders, which include marketing and customer relationship management (CRM), data aggregation, data analysis, on-ground support, loan monitoring, and payment management. It serves clients in e-commerce, travel, hospitality, retail, and trading businesses. The company was incorporated in 2015 and is based in Gurugram, India.

CIM Sante

Venture Round in 2021
CIM Sante is a Moroccan private healthcare group that develops cardiac catherization. CIM Sante Group is made of 3 clinics namely The Heart and Vascular Diseases Clinic in Rabat(1994), The International Clinic of Marrakech (2011), The International Clinic of Tangier(2020). CIM Santé Group also radiology and laundry service companies in partnership in medical laboratories.

Twiga Foods

Series C in 2021
Twiga Foods Ltd. operates a mobile-based business-to-business supply platform, serving retail outlets, kiosks, and market stalls across Africa. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the company facilitates the ordering of various supplies, including bananas, pineapples, and tomatoes, through its innovative platform. Twiga Foods aims to streamline the supply chain and enhance access to essential goods for millions of small and medium-sized vendors in urban markets throughout the continent.

Advans Group

Debt Financing in 2021
Advans Group is an international microfinance organization established in August 2005 and headquartered in Luxembourg. As the venture capital investment arm of Horus Development Finance, it specializes in providing equity, loans, and guarantees primarily to microfinance institutions across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Advans Group aims to strengthen local businesses, enhance job creation, and improve living standards, thereby promoting private sector-led economic and social development in these regions. One of its subsidiaries, Advans Tunisie, focuses on offering microfinance and credit solutions tailored for retailers, wholesalers, artisans, small industries, services, and small-scale farmers in Tunisia. As a majority shareholder in its investments, Advans Group typically assumes a lead role in the microfinance institutions it supports.

Bandwidth and Cloud Services Group

Debt Financing in 2021
Bandwidth and Cloud Services Group is a leading provider of backhaul data and cloud services for mobile operators and Internet Service Providers in East Africa, specifically in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The Group is a shareholder in The East African Marine System (TEAMS) and offers hosted services that enhance the daily lives of individuals in the region, thereby driving demand for increased bandwidth. In addition to its focus on East Africa, the company provides wholesale bandwidth, fiber construction, co-location, and transmission services across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. This diverse portfolio enables clients to achieve cost efficiency while maintaining or expanding their operational scale.

EthioChicken

Venture Round in 2021
EthioChicken PLC is a poultry company based in Ethiopia, founded in 2010. It specializes in the production and distribution of day-old chickens, as well as eggs and meat. The company operates a breeding farm and hatchery, focusing on providing affordable poultry products. EthioChicken collaborates with smallholder farmers to enhance nutrition, improve livelihoods, and create income opportunities within rural communities. By producing blended feed and day-old chickens, the company aims to support local agriculture and contribute to the overall welfare of farmers in the region.

Kashf Foundation

Debt Financing in 2021
Founded in 1996, Kashf Foundation has worked to pioneer microfinance services that empower and promote the economic self-reliance of poor women and their families in Pakistan. Kashf is now one of the premier microfinance institutions in the country, disbursing $202 million USD in loans to date and providing more than one million people with access to financial capital.

Starsight Energy

Debt Financing in 2021
Starsight Energy provides premier clean on-grid and off-grid energy services to commercial and industrial clients in Africa. We make clean energy a smart bottom-line decision for clients by eliminating all up-front costs. Clients pay an all-inclusive monthly fee for end-to-end service.

Starsight Energy

Debt Financing in 2020
Starsight Energy provides premier clean on-grid and off-grid energy services to commercial and industrial clients in Africa. We make clean energy a smart bottom-line decision for clients by eliminating all up-front costs. Clients pay an all-inclusive monthly fee for end-to-end service.

Proximity Designs

Venture Round in 2020
Proximity Designs is a non-profit organization founded in 2004 that focuses on improving the livelihoods of farmers in Myanmar through innovative agricultural solutions. The organization designs and manufactures a range of farming equipment, including sprinklers, solar irrigation pumps, and hand-powered water pumps. In addition to its agricultural products, Proximity Designs offers agronomy advisory services, social services, and agricultural financing through Proximity Finance, a microfinance institution that currently serves approximately 100,000 households with plans to expand significantly in the coming years. The organization aims to promote sustainable farming practices and enhance economic opportunities for rural communities in Myanmar. Headquartered in South Pasadena, California, it also operates an office in Yangon, Myanmar.

ETG

Debt Financing in 2020
ETG, established in 1967, is one of the largest and fastest growing integrated agricultural conglomerates in sub-Saharan Africa, importing and exporting soft commodities to and from 48 countries including Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria and South Africa. It also has supply chain operations in China, India, America, Middle East, and South East Asia; merchandising desks in Europe, and; treasury companies in Singapore, Mauritius and UAE. Globally, ETG is present across 48 countries. ETG runs its business under five business verticals: 1. Fertilizer and Farm Inputs: ETG is one of the largest importers and distributors of fertilizers and farm inputs in sub-saharan africa 2. Cash traded products: Pulses, Sesame seed, Cashew and Rice are key commodities in this vertical. ETG is the world largest trader and processor of Pulses as well as world largest trader for raw cashew nuts. 3. Exchange traded commodities: Grains & oilseeds, sugar, coffee, cocoa, maize and soybean are key products in this segment. ETG is one of the major players for maize and soybean in sub-shara africa 4. Consumer Branded (Vamara): ETG operates multiple processing plants across 14 countries to manufacture products that are targeted to African consumers. ETG has 22 brands in its portfolio that offers products from vegetable cooking oil, condiments, and spreads, etc. 5. Logistics: ETG operates a very successful and integrated Logistics platform. ETG has a network of more than 400+ warehouses across 32 countries and a fleet of more than 900 trucks. ETG provided end-to-end Logistics services across sub-Sahara Africa.

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.

Nafoods Group

Post in 2020
A pioneer group in developing green and sustainable agricultural value chains.

Fuzu

Series A in 2020
Fuzu is a mobile-first career development platform for users in emerging economies, from Africa and Middle East to Asia and Latin America. Fuzu takes a fresh approach to job-seeking, recruitment and learning - with focus on testing and developing one’s skills and competencies. Fuzu keeps the users engaged by continuously offering high quality content and news and by maximizing the power of social networks in career management.

Yalelo

Venture Round in 2019
Yalelo is a pioneer of aquaculture in Zambia, bringing together local resources and world-leading practices. We implement a scalable solution to ease the pressure on Zambia’s struggling wild-capture fisheries sector. Founded in 2011, we have grown quickly to become the leading fisheries firm in Zambia and among the largest aquaculture firms in Africa. We breed and grow our tilapia on the shores of Lake Kariba and sell our product fresh nation-wide. Our pristine water, locally produced non-GMO fish feed and a robust cold-chain results in a product quality and affordability that is transforming the customer experience.

Maarifa Education Holdings

Venture Round in 2019
Maarifa Edu Holdings Limited provides tertiary education in Africa. The company was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.

Starsight Energy

Debt Financing in 2019
Starsight Energy provides premier clean on-grid and off-grid energy services to commercial and industrial clients in Africa. We make clean energy a smart bottom-line decision for clients by eliminating all up-front costs. Clients pay an all-inclusive monthly fee for end-to-end service.

Access Bank

Post in 2019
Access Bank provides banking products and services to individual and business customers in Ghana. It offers standard savings and current, access advantage, solo, and premier accounts. The company also provides online banking services that include ATM, online access, and point-of-sale terminal services; and bills payment and Western Union money transfer services.

Africado

Debt Financing in 2019
Africado is an avocado plantation at the foot of the Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Established in 2007, Africado has developed and grown a business from start up to becoming the largest fruit exporter in Tanzania, producing and exporting Hass avocado to the EU. The company works with over 2,000 small scale out-growers. Norfund provided 40% of the equity required for the project.

Jumo

Series B in 2018
Jumo World Limited operates a mobile money marketplace that connects private individuals, small businesses, and mobile network operators to a range of financial products. Founded in 2010 and based in Cape Town, South Africa, the company leverages advanced data science and machine learning to offer innovative financial services, including savings, loans, and insurance, particularly for entrepreneurs in emerging markets across Africa and Asia. Jumo's platform facilitates access to these services through partnerships with mobile network operators, enabling users to build financial identities based on their mobile behavior. By creating a digital banking solution that is cost-effective and responsible, Jumo aims to empower users with unprecedented financial choices, ultimately fostering economic growth and prosperity.

Jumo

Series A in 2018
Jumo World Limited operates a mobile money marketplace that connects private individuals, small businesses, and mobile network operators to a range of financial products. Founded in 2010 and based in Cape Town, South Africa, the company leverages advanced data science and machine learning to offer innovative financial services, including savings, loans, and insurance, particularly for entrepreneurs in emerging markets across Africa and Asia. Jumo's platform facilitates access to these services through partnerships with mobile network operators, enabling users to build financial identities based on their mobile behavior. By creating a digital banking solution that is cost-effective and responsible, Jumo aims to empower users with unprecedented financial choices, ultimately fostering economic growth and prosperity.

Jumo

Debt Financing in 2017
Jumo World Limited operates a mobile money marketplace that connects private individuals, small businesses, and mobile network operators to a range of financial products. Founded in 2010 and based in Cape Town, South Africa, the company leverages advanced data science and machine learning to offer innovative financial services, including savings, loans, and insurance, particularly for entrepreneurs in emerging markets across Africa and Asia. Jumo's platform facilitates access to these services through partnerships with mobile network operators, enabling users to build financial identities based on their mobile behavior. By creating a digital banking solution that is cost-effective and responsible, Jumo aims to empower users with unprecedented financial choices, ultimately fostering economic growth and prosperity.

Mobisol

Debt Financing in 2017
Mobisol GmbH, founded in 2010 and based in Berlin, Germany, specializes in developing and installing solar home systems to provide electricity to underserved low-income customers in developing nations. The company offers solutions that power LED lights, radios, mobile phones, and various household appliances, while also promoting productive use appliances. Mobisol's innovative approach combines solar energy with an affordable mobile payment plan, making it accessible for those living without electricity. The company emphasizes comprehensive customer service and utilizes remote monitoring technology to ensure reliable performance. With additional offices in Tanzania, Rwanda, and Kenya, Mobisol operates as a subsidiary of ENGIE SA, focusing on delivering clean and affordable energy alternatives to fossil fuels.

Fuzu

Seed Round in 2016
Fuzu is a mobile-first career development platform for users in emerging economies, from Africa and Middle East to Asia and Latin America. Fuzu takes a fresh approach to job-seeking, recruitment and learning - with focus on testing and developing one’s skills and competencies. Fuzu keeps the users engaged by continuously offering high quality content and news and by maximizing the power of social networks in career management.

EthioChicken

Debt Financing in 2016
EthioChicken PLC is a poultry company based in Ethiopia, founded in 2010. It specializes in the production and distribution of day-old chickens, as well as eggs and meat. The company operates a breeding farm and hatchery, focusing on providing affordable poultry products. EthioChicken collaborates with smallholder farmers to enhance nutrition, improve livelihoods, and create income opportunities within rural communities. By producing blended feed and day-old chickens, the company aims to support local agriculture and contribute to the overall welfare of farmers in the region.

M-Birr

Seed Round in 2012
M-BIRR Limited is a provider of mobile banking services based in Dublin, Ireland, offering a comprehensive platform for mobile money transactions in Ethiopia. Established in 2001, M-BIRR facilitates a range of financial services, including domestic money transfers, balance inquiries, loan repayments, cash in/out through an extensive agent network, and international remittances. Users can conveniently pay for goods and services directly from their mobile phones, eliminating the need for time-consuming travel and queuing. The platform also enables utility bill payments and supports businesses with marketing and strategy consulting. M-BIRR is designed to cater to both residential and business customers, as well as banks and microfinance institutions, ensuring efficient and reliable financial transactions available around the clock.

Incap

Post in 2008
Incap Corporation is a global contract manufacturer specializing in electronics manufacturing services. The company provides a comprehensive range of services throughout the entire lifecycle of electromechanical products, which includes design, manufacturing, maintenance, and logistics. Incap caters to leading suppliers in energy-saving and well-being technologies, enhancing their competitiveness through strategic partnerships. Its manufacturing operations are located in Estonia, India, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom, while it also maintains a sourcing office in Hong Kong. The company offers various services such as material procurement, prototyping, production ramp-up, serial production, final assembly, testing, and project management, along with specialized tasks like printed circuit board assembly, box-build final assembly, electromechanical assembly, and cable and wire harness assembly.