Norfund

CrossBoundary is a New York-based investment advisory firm established in 2011, specializing in frontier markets. It offers services such as capital raising, strategic advisory, due diligence, and market assessment to a diverse range of clients, including governments, development finance institutions, and private equity firms. In 2014, the firm founded CrossBoundary Energy, an investment firm based in Nairobi, Kenya, focusing on infrastructure investments, particularly solar power for African businesses. CrossBoundary Energy provides financing for distributed solar projects ranging from 100kW to 10MW, aiming to facilitate the transition from diesel to renewable energy generation.

Access Bank, established in 1988 and headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, is a commercial bank that offers a wide range of banking products and services to individual and business customers. The bank operates in Ghana and provides various accounts, including standard savings and current accounts, as well as specialized options such as access advantage and premier accounts. Access Bank also offers online banking services, facilitating ATM transactions, online access, point-of-sale terminal services, bill payments, and Western Union money transfers. In addition to personal banking, the bank provides corporate and investment banking, commercial and business banking services, along with mortgage loans and sustainable international banking solutions.

Bayport Financial Services Zambia is a micro-finance institution in Zambia.

Pele Green Energy is a South African company specializing in renewable energy power projects. As an Independent Power Producer, it develops, owns, procures, builds, and operates both small-scale embedded generation and large utility-scale power plants. The company is a leading participant in the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement (REIPPP) program in South Africa, focusing on projects that generate electricity from renewable sources to serve the African market.

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), a public limited liability company under a private sector initiative spearheaded by the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry with the support of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In the early 1980’s foreign and state-owned banks dominated the banking industry in West Africa. Commercial banks in West Africa owned and managed by the African private sector were a rarity. Its founders created ETI with the objective of filling this vacuum. The Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce promoted and initiated a project to create a private, regional banking institution in West Africa. In 1984, Ecopromotions S.A. was incorporated. Its founding shareholders raised seed capital for feasibility studies and the promotional activities leading to the creation of ETI. In October 1985, ETI was incorporated with authorised capital of US$100 million. The initial paid up capital of US$32 million was raised from over 1,500 individuals and institutions from West African countries. The largest shareholder was the ECOWAS Fund for Cooperation, Compensation and Development (ECOWAS Fund), the development finance arm of ECOWAS. Ecobank signed a Headquarters’ Agreement with the Government of Togo in 1985, which granted it the status of an international organisation. This status came with the rights and privileges necessary for ETI to operate as a regional institution, including the status of a non-resident financial institution. ETI commenced operations with its first subsidiary in Togo in March 1988.

Miniplast is a manufacturer of Industrial and Household products in Ghana with over 30 years of experience in the sector.

CrossBoundary is a New York-based investment advisory firm established in 2011, specializing in frontier markets. It offers services such as capital raising, strategic advisory, due diligence, and market assessment to a diverse range of clients, including governments, development finance institutions, and private equity firms. In 2014, the firm founded CrossBoundary Energy, an investment firm based in Nairobi, Kenya, focusing on infrastructure investments, particularly solar power for African businesses. CrossBoundary Energy provides financing for distributed solar projects ranging from 100kW to 10MW, aiming to facilitate the transition from diesel to renewable energy generation.

Wave Mobile Money is a financial technology company focused on providing app-based solutions for saving, transferring, and borrowing money in Africa. With a mission to create the first cashless continent, Wave aims to address the challenge of limited access to banking services, as less than 10% of the African population has a bank account. The company is developing an inclusive financial network that offers no account fees and allows for instant transactions, making it accessible to a broader audience. By leveraging technology, Wave is creating affordable financial services that enable individuals to manage their money effectively, thereby fostering economic empowerment and contributing to poverty alleviation. Its platform supports various services, including deposits, withdrawals, bill payments, and money transfers, facilitating cashless transactions for users and businesses alike.

Lona is a manufacturer and exporter of citrus products based in Cape Town, South Africa. The company specializes in a diverse range of agricultural products, including grapefruit, mangoes, grapes, pears, plums, avocados, pomegranates, lemons, and oranges, as well as various vegetables. Through its operations, Lona aims to deliver high-quality produce to international markets, leveraging South Africa's favorable climate for citrus cultivation.

Brighter Life Kenya 1 Limited (BLK1), an indirect subsidiary of AFC incorporated in Jersey, was incorporated to acquire pay-as-you-go solar home system accounts receivables from d.light Limited (d.light Kenya), providing d.light Kenya with flexible working capital to finance its continued growth.

Sundry Foods Limited is a prominent food services provider in Nigeria, established in 2004 and headquartered in Port Harcourt. The company operates a chain of quick service restaurants, including its well-known brand "Kilimanjaro," which has become a market leader in the sector. Sundry Foods offers a diverse range of services, including industrial catering, event catering and management, and bakery services. Its unique fast food concept marries traditional Nigerian cuisine with Western fast food, catering to the growing middle-class market across major cities such as Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja. Through its integrated approach, Sundry Foods aims to meet the culinary needs of various customer demographics, providing fresh meals that resonate with both local and continental tastes.

Verde Beef Processing PLC is a beef production company based in Adami Tulu, Ethiopia, established in 2014. It operates a feedlot on a 1,300-hectare farm, specializing in cattle farming and industrial livestock production. The company focuses on raw beef meat processing and exports its products to markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, offering premium quality Ethiopian beef. Led by experienced agribusiness managers, Bruce Hamilton and Arnold Krul, Verde Beef Processing aims to leverage its expertise and local resources to meet the growing demand for beef in international markets.

Freight in Time Limited is a logistics company based in Nairobi, Kenya, specializing in comprehensive freight and supply chain solutions across East Africa, including South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Djibouti. Founded in 1998, the company offers a range of services including sea freight, air freight, project cargo, express delivery, warehousing, and distribution. It caters to various sectors such as perishables, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, humanitarian aid, mining, and oil and gas. Freight in Time is equipped to handle both regional cross-border transportation and integrated solutions, with a presence at key ports, airports, and border points throughout the region. The company has received equity investment to support its expansion in the logistics and distribution sector.

Globeleq Generation Limited is a company that develops, builds, and operates renewable power projects primarily in Africa and the Americas. It manages a diverse portfolio of power generation assets, including natural gas, solar, wind, heavy fuel oil, and fuel oil facilities. By utilizing a range of power-generating technologies, Globeleq aims to support the growth of local communities and foster a sustainable future. Its operations focus on providing reliable energy solutions that positively impact the regions it serves.

Vertical Agro Limited is an independent, vertically integrated company based in Naivasha, Kenya, specializing in the production, processing, exporting, and marketing of fresh and frozen vegetables and fruits. The company operates a state-of-the-art processing facility that adheres to strict food safety standards, ensuring high-quality products for its customers. As a leading grower and exporter in the region, Vertical Agro focuses on delivering the best quality produce, thereby meeting the demands of both local and international markets.

Advans Microfinance Network is an international microfinance group that supports small businesses and underserved populations in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Luxembourg, Advans focuses on providing a range of financial services, including microloans, SME loans, insurance, and fund transfers. The organization aims to strengthen local businesses and improve living standards, contributing to private sector-led economic and social development. Advans operates through various microfinance institutions, such as Advans Tunisie, which offers tailored financial solutions to retailers, artisans, small industries, and farmers. By addressing the financial needs of these groups, Advans plays a crucial role in fostering entrepreneurship and job creation in the regions it serves.

African Century is a private equity firm established in 2008 and located in Grand Baie, Mauritius. The firm focuses on investments in various sectors, including food, financial services, real estate, and agriculture. Additionally, African Century Infrastructure Services, a subsidiary, specializes in leasing equipment to support the oil and gas industry in Tanzania and Mozambique. This division provides large-scale machinery and equipment, such as forklifts and portable heavy-duty cranes, to facilitate industrial development in these regions.

Asilia Africa Ltd. is an ecotourism company based in Arusha, Tanzania, founded in 2004. It operates 13 luxury camps and lodges, offering a variety of safari experiences, including flying safaris and combinations of safari and beach properties. The company prioritizes conservation and aims to positively impact the natural habitats where it operates, as well as the local communities. Asilia Africa is dedicated to providing exceptional wilderness experiences characterized by personalized service and knowledgeable guiding. Through its sustainable economic models, the company seeks to enhance wildlife conservation efforts and improve the livelihoods of people living in and around these unique ecosystems.

DFCU Bank, established in 1964 and headquartered in Kampala, Uganda, offers a range of commercial banking products and services. The bank provides savings and investment accounts, personal and corporate credit, trade finance, and foreign exchange services. It also facilitates medium and long-term financing for various sectors, including agriculture, education, health, manufacturing, transport, hospitality, tourism, and construction. DFCU Bank actively promotes small and medium enterprises and supports women in business through its tailored financial solutions. With a network of 63 branches and 100 ATMs, the bank ensures accessible banking through internet and mobile platforms, allowing customers to manage their finances conveniently and securely. As a subsidiary of Arise B.V., DFCU Bank has played a significant role in Uganda's economic development.

Family Bank is a commercial bank based in Kenya, operating since May 2007 and regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya. With a growing customer base exceeding 1.7 million, it has established a network of 93 branches across the country. The bank primarily focuses on providing financial services to underserved segments of the market, including small-scale farmers, salaried employees, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, as well as youth and women. Additionally, it serves larger corporate clients to enhance its deposit base. Family Bank is noted for being the first in Kenya to implement paperless banking through smart card technology, reflecting its commitment to innovation in financial services.

Real People is a financial institution that offers credit to small enterprises and individuals who otherwise have limited access to financial services in South Africa and other countries in the region. Real People is one of South Africa’s largest non-banking independent financial services provider that has been operating in Southern Africa for more than 15 years. Real People is a consumer finance and mortgage financing institution that targets customers from previously disadvantaged communities, with low to moderate household earnings who would traditionally not qualify for credit from the banking institutions in South Africa.

Green Resources AS is a forestation and wood processing company based in Oslo, Norway, with operations in East Africa, specifically Mozambique, Tanzania, and Uganda. The company manages approximately 40,000 hectares of plantation forest and is recognized as a leader in East African wood manufacturing. It operates the region's largest sawmill in Tanzania, along with electricity pole and charcoal production facilities in all three countries. Green Resources specializes in producing a variety of wood products, including sawn timber, pallets, and charcoal, while also generating renewable energy from biomass and hydro power. Additionally, the company develops carbon offset projects and offers advisory services in carbon markets, focusing on sustainable development initiatives across Africa. Founded in 1995, Green Resources aims to meet the demands of both local and global markets through its diverse product offerings and commitment to sustainable practices.