News archive

"I firmly believe in strengthening the private sector – in job creation through the establishment of new companies and by providing critical infrastructure. This will improve people’s livelihood and reduce poverty. It doesn’t mean I am negative to traditional aid. It only means I believe investments are very important and that my skillset can best be applied to this area," says Tellef Thorleifsson, Norfund’s new CEO.

AfricInvest, a leading pan-African private equity firm, has announced the second close of FIVE, a platform for investing in financial institutions in Africa. FIVE aims to improve access to financial services for the African population, while achieving financial returns for its investors.

Scatec Solar and Norfund's 35 MW Los Prados solar power plant in Honduras is now grid connected and has reached commercial operation.

An evaluation report commissioned by Norad concludes that Norfund has good procedures in place to ensure that human rights are respected - and that an approach based on IFC Performance Standards contributes to the same outcomes as an UNGP-based approach.

Productive firms is the key for economic growth and development in Africa, Professor Paul Collier said at Norfund's Summer Conference 2018

The creation of new jobs is Task No. 1 in efforts to achieve the goals of global development and poverty reduction. The need is enormous. Although there is general agreement about this, Western development aid is doing little, or nothing, to help create new jobs.

This refinancing of Uganda’s major power dam will amongst others contribute to lower electricity costs and access stable to electricity in Uganda.

The time to invest in Somalia is now, said the Prime Minister of Somalia, Mr Khaire, at the launch of the "Nordic Horn of Africa Opportunities fund". Norfund, Shuraako and IFU have launched a new - and first in its kind - fund for investing in small and medium sized companies in Somalia.

On the 18th of June 2018, Ms Madsen was appointed as a new member of the Norfund board of directors by Norfund's General Assembly . the General Assembly is constituted by the Norwegian Minister of International Development, Nikolai Astrup,

Nordic Microfinance Initiative (NMI) invests in and builds up Micro Finance Institutions in developing countries. After 10 years of investments, NMI presents 10% return since inception and loyal investors sign record-high commitments for the fourth NMI fund.

Thorleifsson has more than 20 years experience as investor and he was one of the founders of the venture.company Northzone. "We are glad to have Thorleifsson on board" says Kristin Clemet, Chair of Norfund board.

Norfund presented a record high IRR of 9% (in NOK) since inception at the Norfund Finance Seminar today . For 2017 alone, the IRR was 14%. This shows the huge investment potentials that exist in developing countries.

Norfund, together with TripleJump and Developing World Markets, have arranged an up to USD 6.0 million facility agreement with Myanmar Finance International, MFIL.

Norfund seeks new CEO as Kjell Roland has decided to resign after almost 12 years in the position.

ABBANK has signed a senior loan agreement worth US$40 million with DEG and Norfund for on-lending to SMEs in Vietnam - particularly to women-run enterprises.