Norfund

Norfund is a Norwegian government organization founded in 1997, based in Oslo, that focuses on reducing poverty and enhancing economic development in low-income countries. It serves as an active, strategic minority investor, providing risk capital, equity, and loans to businesses in regions where access to financing is limited. Primarily operating in Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as selected areas in Southeast Asia and Central America, Norfund aims to foster sustainable business growth in environments where the private sector is underdeveloped. The organization also invests in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to further support local economic initiatives. Through its investments, Norfund seeks to create a significant positive impact on the economies of the countries it targets.

Sarita Bartlett

Investment Manager of Social, Environment and Governance (SEG)

Vegard Benterud

Investment Director, Funds

Bernt Christian Brun

Vice President, Funds

Nic Christoforou

Senior Investment Manager

Cathrine Kaasen Conradi

Chief Financial and Risk Officer & Head, Human Resources

Mark Davis

Executive Vice President, Clean Energy

Elin Ersdal

Investment Director Food and Agribusiness

Vegard Halvorsen

Investment Director

Birgette Kolrud

Senior Investment Manager

Chishamiso Mawoyo

Investment Director, Southern Africa

Teeranun Newachuen

Senior Investment Associate

Kristin L. Sellevold

Senior Investment Manager, Funds

Hege Holst Skalmerud

Investment Manager

Tellef Thorleifsson

Chief Executive Officer

Andrew James Tillery

Senior Investment Manager

Past deals in Francophone Africa

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.

Baobab+

Funding Round in 2021
Baobab+ is a social business committed to providing access to energy and digital. We commercialize innovative products with financing solutions that meet the needs of local populations.

Globeleq

Private Equity Round in 2015
Globeleq Generation Limited develops, builds, and operates renewable power projects in Africa and the Americas. It operates a portfolio of natural gas, solar, wind, HFO, and fuel oil power generation assets. The company was founded in 2002 and is based in London, United Kingdom with regional offices in Nairobi, Kenya; Cape Town, South Africa; and Doula, Cameroon.

Advans Group

Private Equity Round in 2015
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.