By Gerelyn Terzo, Global AgInvesting Media
Nature-based solutions are attracting increasing interest from development finance institutions and long-term investors positioning for climate and land-use transitions. Most recently, Swedfund, with a mission to reduce poverty through sustainable investments, has invested €15 million in hummingbirds-Gondwana, an emerging platform that targets forest and coastal restoration efforts alongside sustainable land management and clean energy initiatives across Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia.
The platform is designed to finance a range of nature-based projects, including forest conservation, reforestation, mangrove restoration and agroforestry systems, in addition to clean cooking initiatives aimed at easing pressure on natural forests. Gondwana was established by hummingbirds, a female-led nature-based solutions developer focused on structuring and funding community-driven projects with local stakeholders across Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America.
Swedfund CEO Maria Håkansson stated, “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.”
Swedfund’s commitment forms part of a broader financing structure that also includes participation from development finance institutions Proparco and British International Investment. The deal further benefits from risk-sharing features, including a European Union guarantee provided through the EFSD+ Carbon Sink program, which is designed to offset investment risk in nature-based climate initiatives.
Swedfund’s Gondwana commitment follows a series of recent allocations targeting food and agricultural value chains in emerging markets. Earlier this month, the institution committed $15 million to Phatisa Food Fund 3, a vehicle focused on established businesses operating across Africa’s food system.
The investment reflects growing attention to structural pressures facing the region’s agricultural and food networks, where population growth, climate variability and fragmented supply chains continue to challenge production and distribution. Expanding processing capacity, improving efficiency and strengthening market access remain central to improving food availability and affordability across many African economies.
Phatisa Food Fund 3 is structured to back companies pursuing expansion or ownership transitions, with capital aimed at scaling operations, stabilizing employment and reinforcing more resilient supply chains. The strategy builds on Phatisa’s established presence in African agribusiness and food-related investments.
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