Press release -
Swedfund invests EUR 15 million to scale nature-based climate projects in Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia
Swedfund has invested EUR 15 million in hummingbirds-Gondwana (Gondwana), a new platform that finances nature-based solutions. The investment will support restoration and protection of forests and coastal ecosystems, as well as sustainable land use and clean cooking solutions, while creating jobs and income opportunities in rural communities.
“Nature-based solutions are a critical but underfinanced part of the climate transition. Through this investment, Swedfund takes a first step into this space, guided by integrity and long-term impact, and by a belief in new business models that can deliver both sustainability outcomes and financial viability,” says Maria Håkansson, CEO of Swedfund
Gondwana will finance projects such as forest conservation, reforestation, mangrove restoration, agroforestry and clean cooking solutions that reduce pressure on natural forests. The platform is launched by hummingbirds, a female led nature-based solutions developer that develops and finances community-driven projects in close partnership with local actors across Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America.
“Investing in nature-based solutions means investing simultaneously in climate, people, and ecosystems. These investments offer strong potential for social impact, especially for women and rural communities, while also delivering climate mitigation and biodiversity protection,” says Jérémie Hoffsaes from the Energy & Climate team at Swedfund.
Swedfund invests alongside development finance institutions Proparco and British International Investment (BII). The investment is supported by an EU guarantee under EFSD+ Carbon Sink, which helps de risk investments in nature-based climate solutions.
About hummingbirds
hummingbirds is a nature-based solutions project developer founded in 2022. The company develops and implements projects that protect, restore and sustainably manage forests, wetlands, agricultural landscapes and clean cooking solutions, working in close partnership with local actors. The company has offices in Paris, Accra, Nairobi, Melbourne, Mexico City and São Paulo.
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About Swedfund
Swedfund is Sweden’s development finance institution with the mission to reduce poverty through sustainable investments in developing countries. Swedfund plays an important role in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement on climate. Swedfund shares the same goal as development cooperation in general, but the tools Swedfund uses are different. Swedfund has two instruments to fulfil its mission: sustainable investments in the private sector and technical feasibility studies through the Project Accelerator targeting the public sector.
Swedfund's investments contribute to the creation of decent jobs and increased access to essential products and services such as electricity and food. Swedfund is a long-term investor and is additional and catalytic through its investments and by mobilising private capital. Swedfund's feasibility studies support sustainable public infrastructure development, trade, and export opportunities for Swedish solutions.
We are part of Swedish development cooperation, and we measure and report all our results. As a state-owned company, Swedfund is managed by the Ministry of Finance and financed through portfolio reflows and annual capital injections for which the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs is responsible.
For more information: please visit www.swedfund.se/en
