The Norfund Conference 2026

After 8 years as CEO of Norfund, Tellef Thorleifsson is about to pass on the baton. Looking back on years of investing in some of the world’s most challenging markets, he reflects on what experience and results reveal about what works, and what does not, and what we’ve learned from setbacks and ambitions that proved hard to deliver on.
An upcoming white paper on development aid has promised to “carve out a new development policy for a new era”. State Secretary Stine Renate Håheim will shed light on what that might include and the role Norfund may play in a future that entails sharper priorities and harder choices.

With:

• Tellef Thorleifsson, CEO, Norfund
• Stine Renate Håheim, State Secretary for international development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Erik Sandersen, EVP for Financial Inclusion and incoming CEO of Norfund

If aid is to become redundant, developing countries must be able to finance basic public services through taxation. Profitable, formal businesses that create jobs and incomes are a necessary precondition for this. Yet no company wants to pay more tax than required by law.

What role can a responsible investor play in contributing to stronger tax contributions from companies? How does this relate to the essential task of civil society of holding governments accountable for how tax revenues are spent?

With:

• Paddy Carter, Head of Development Economics, British International Investment
• Anne Cecilie Kaltenborn, Secretary General, Norwegian Church Aid
• William Nyaoke. Regional Director East Africa, Norfund
• Per Kristian Sbertoli, Director of Public Relations, Norfund (moderator)

One in three women globally experience gender-based violence — and for some, work itself increases the risk.  Norfund’s efforts to improve women’s opportunities through investments have led to progress, but also to difficult and uncomfortable lessons.

What have we learned from efforts to increase women’s participation in different sectors? Can well intentioned initiatives unintentionally increase risk? How can companies, NGOs and investors collaborate on empowerment efforts that are both effective and safe?

With:

• Mfon Essien, Senior Environmental & Social Manager, Norfund
• Isabel Wanjohi, Premier Credit
• Kaj-Martin Georgsen, Secretary General, CARE Norway

Step into the role of a Norfund decisionmaker as we explore real world dilemmas from the ownership phase of an investment. Through live voting and onstage reflection, this interactive session offers insight into what responsible ownership looks like in practice — and how difficult choices can shape the direction and impact of an investment.

With:

• Ylva Lindberg, EVP Strategy & Communication, Norfund
• Fabrice Mpollo, Senior Investment Manager, Norfund
• The audience

The annual Norfund Conference was held Tuesday, 5 May at Taket Steen & Strøm in Oslo.Achieving poverty reduction and accelerating the energy transition requires a major step-up in the mobilisation of private capital. How is capital mobilised to developing markets today? What drives private investors to engage — and what obstacles still hold many back, despite viable commercial opportunities? What can development finance institutions, policymakers and investors do differently to unlock more capital at scale?

With:

• Monica Cheng Arango, Board Director, ERCO Energía
• Signe Sørensen, Strategy and Impact Director, Norfund
• Kiran Aziz, Head of Responsible Investments, KLP and Norfund Board Director
• Sony Kapoor, CEO, Nordic Institute for Finance, Technology and Sustainability
• Cathrine Kaasen Conradi, SVP for Financial Inclusion, Norfund (moderator)