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.

Fay Chetnakarnkul

Investment Director, Head of Asia Region

Carlos Escobar

Senior Investment Manager, Financial Institutions

Finn Marum

Executive Vice President

Athivadee Panuvatvanich

Investment Associate

Kjell Roland

Managing Director and CEO

Lisa Huun Thomsen

Senior Investment Manager, Clean Energy

Tellef Thorleifsson

CEO

Past deals in SADC

M-Kopa

Debt Financing in 2017
M-Kopa Kenya Limited is a leading provider of solar home systems, specializing in pay-as-you-go energy services for off-grid customers. Founded in 2011 and based in Nairobi, Kenya, M-Kopa began commercial operations in 2012 and has since expanded its reach to Uganda and Tanzania. The company offers a range of solar products, including systems that provide lighting, phone charging, and solar-powered radios, which are sold through over 1,000 retail agents and shops. M-Kopa utilizes a proprietary technology platform that integrates mobile payments and IoT connectivity, allowing customers without credit histories to access essential products and services. With a dedicated team of over 500 staff, the company is committed to delivering innovative solutions that meet the needs of underserved communities, continually improving its offerings through data-driven insights and customer relationship management.

Neofresh

Private Equity Round in 2017
Neofresh (Pty) Ltd. is an Agri-business located in the Mpumalanga Lowveld of South Africa, focusing on the production, packaging, and marketing of subtropical fruits. The company specializes in papaya and litchi, while also cultivating a variety of other fruits including mango, lemon, blueberry, and macadamia nuts. Neofresh operates its own farms and pack houses, employing efficient production techniques to ensure high yields and quality. By utilizing conventional breeding methods, the company aims to provide consumers with fresh and healthy fruit options.

Globeleq

Private Equity Round in 2015
Globeleq Africa Holdings Limited is a company based in London, United Kingdom, specializing in the development, construction, and operation of independent power plants across Africa. Founded in 2002, it manages a diverse portfolio of power generation assets, including natural gas, solar, wind, heavy fuel oil, and fuel oil facilities. Globeleq aims to empower Africa's growth by implementing various power-generating technologies tailored to different geographical locations. Through its operations, the company seeks to deliver positive impacts on local communities while contributing to a sustainable energy future in the region. Regional offices are located in Nairobi, Kenya; Cape Town, South Africa; and Douala, 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.

African Century

Private Equity Round in 2014
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.

Renewable Energy Holdings

Private Equity Round in 2014
REH focuses on the development, construction and operation of green-field and refurbished independent power plants (IPPs) in the range of 5MW to 50 MW across Southern Africa.

SN Power

Private Equity Round in 2013
SN Power invests in clean, renewable energy on commercial basis in emerging markets. The company has operations in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Central America and the focus is to acquire, develop, construct and operate hydropower assets. SN Power has several running Hydropower plants in The Philippines, Laos, Zambia and Panama, and the company consist of a multinational team of people employed globally in its operations and projects. In addition to the operating assets, SN Power has an office in Amsterdam, Netherlands and is Head-quartered in Oslo, Norway.

Asilia Africa

Private Equity Round in 2013
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.

African Century Foods

Private Equity Round in 2013
African Century Foods (ACF) is Sub-Sahara Africa’s aquaculture producer with tilapia farms in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Uganda. Its supply of affordable, high-quality fresh protein is important in countries facing challenges related to the availability and affordability of food supplies.

Bronkhorstspruit Biogas Plant

Private Equity Round in 2011
Bio2Watt is the production of methane and carbon dioxide is a natural consequence of the degradation of organic waste. In this plant, the process is accelerated and the methane is captured and used to generate electricity using gas engines. The technology is established and commercially proven with many biogas plants operating in Asia, Europe and the Americas.The generation capacity of the biogas plant is 4.2 MW, providing an estimated 35 GWh of energy per year.

Real People Home Finance

Private Equity Round in 2010
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

Private Equity Round in 2009
Green Resources is a afforestation company and a leader in East African wood processing. The company has 40,000 ha of standing forest in Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda, established through its own planting activities. It operates East Africa’s largest sawmill in Tanzania and electricity pole and charcoal plants in Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda.
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