Swedfund, Sweden’s Development Finance Institution, commits USD 10 million to the Novastar Ventures Africa People and Planet Fund III (NVIII) to increase access to capital for African companies that are tackling climate change and development challenges through clean and climate-positive technologies.
At a time when Africa faces increasing climate risks, it is also emerging as a rising hub for climate and clean-tech innovation.
Through this indirect investment, Swedfund aims to catalyse funding for early-stage local businesses developing solutions in renewable energy, e-mobility, smart logistics, circular economy and regenerative agriculture.
As the impacts of climate change intensify, it is critical to support businesses building resilient, low-carbon economies. Our investment seeks to unlock financing for innovative companies across Africa that improve lives and livelihoods while reducing emissions, says Sofia Gedeon, Investment Director at Swedfund.
By investing in NVIII, a fund structure with broad reach and local presence in countries like Kenya and Nigeria, Swedfund enables capital to reach a larger number of high-impact companies across the continent. This approach supports market development, job creation and access to essential services in underserved communities.
Swedfund’s investment is made alongside other development finance institutions such as Norfund and British International Investment (BII).
Steven Umidha is a data and financial journalist with over 15 years of work experience in journalism and communication.
He specialises in finance and economics reporting as well as on the causes, impacts, and solutions of global warming, conservation, pollution and sustainability, often blending scientific literacy with journalist ethics, while involving policy analysis and multimedia storytelling across various platforms in highlighting issues from biodiversity loss to ecological justice.
He is the founder of Financial Fortune Media, and a Co-founder of One Planet Agency (OPA). He has previously worked with the Standard Media Group, Mediamax Networks LTD, bird story agency, Business Journal Africa, and Financial Post among other outlets.
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