Norfund was founded in 1997 by the Norwegian government. Its priority geographical investment area is sub-Saharan Africa. It also invests in selected countries in South East Asia and Central America.
Norfund is an active strategic minority investor and offers risk capital and expertise to businesses in which it invests. Its global investment portfolio currently stands at approx. 2.6 billion USD.
Norfund’s strategy is to invest in sectors and countries where it can have the greatest impact, where the private sector is weak and access to capital is scarce. In line with this, Norfund's investment sectors are:
- Clean energy
- Green Infrastructure (Waste Management, Water Supply and Power Networks)
- Financial institutions
- Scalable Enterprises (Food, Agribusiness and Manufacturing)
Norfund currently has regional offices across Africa in Ghana, Kenya and South Africa, as well as in Central America (Costa Rica) and Asia (Bangkok).
Norfund’s West Africa office in Accra was opened in late 2017 and covers the West Africa region, with focus countries being Ghana, Nigeria, Cote D’Ivoire and Senegal. The office is located at One Airport Square, 6th Floor, Airport City, Accra.
Norfund is able to invest equity as well as debt and quasi-equity. Its minimum investment size of $5 million.