20 Mins with: Signe Kolby Sørensen, Norfund
In today's episode, Signe Kolby Sørensen, Director of Strategy & Impact at Norfund, discusses investment strategies aligned with impactful development. She highlights Norfund’s approach to blended finance, resilient economies, the recent influential investment in AgDevCo, and navigating the balance between financial returns and development goals.
Background and Mission
Signe Kolby Sørensen, Director of Strategy & Impact at Norfund, guides the alignment of investment strategy with meaningful development outcomes. Her focus is on driving private sector growth in emerging markets, particularly through investing in clean energy and agricultural projects across sub-Saharan Africa.
Investing with Impact
Norfund strategically targets sectors with significant developmental impact, notably:
- Sustainable Infrastructure and Job Creation: Investment decisions prioritize infrastructure and employment opportunities, a key example being Norfund’s facilitation of over 712,000 jobs in 2024 alone.
- Local Understanding: The presence of five regional offices significantly enhances Norfund’s cultural insights, network capabilities, and context-specific responses, crucial for investments in challenging emerging markets.
Unlocking Potential with Blended Finance
Signe emphasizes the transformative role of blended finance and catalytic capital. By using concessional capital to de-risk ventures, Norfund effectively attracts private co-investors, particularly in high-risk or fragile regions. Blended structures are identified as essential tools in bridging financial gaps and accelerating development progress.
Resilient Economies Amid Global Volatility
Amid current global uncertainties, Signe advocates for:
- Strengthening local supply chains.
- Empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
- Investing in durable, long-term infrastructure.
- She highlights the critical importance of patient capital in fostering resilience and sustainability.
Leadership and Metrics
Balancing financial returns and developmental outcomes, Signe points to the importance of clear, measurable impact metrics, strategic decision-making, strong teamwork, and diversity of thought. These factors ensure Norfund successfully navigates tensions between its core mission and financial viability.
Spotlight Investment: AgDevCo
A pivotal $85 million equity deal with AgDevCo, alongside British International Investment (BII) and Swedfund, underscores Norfund's commitment to agribusiness and food security in sub-Saharan Africa. This collaboration allows Norfund to access early-stage, smaller-scale projects previously beyond its scope, promoting climate-resilient food systems.
Looking Ahead
Signe concludes by expressing enthusiasm about Norfund’s future direction and continued mission-driven growth. She also signals her excitement about engaging with industry peers at Uxolo’s upcoming event in Copenhagen, Global 2025: Export, Agency & Project Finance.
