Swedfund has committed $17.7 million to the Hummingbirds Gondwana platform to scale up nature-based climate projects across Africa. The investment is designed to restore forests, promote sustainable land use and expand clean cooking solutions in rural communities. More importantly, it is structured to prove that environmental protection can go hand in hand with sustainable business growth.
This marks Swedfund’s first direct investment in nature-based climate solutions. The funding forms part of a broader financing round of about $60 million for the Gondwana platform. Other development finance institutions including Proparco and British International Investment are participating in the round. The effort is further supported by an EU guarantee under the EFSD+ Carbon Sinks programme, which helps reduce risk and attract capital into climate-focused projects.
Swedfund’s CEO, Maria Håkansson, said nature-focused approaches have long been overlooked in global climate finance. “Nature-centered approaches are a vital but historically underfinanced component of the global climate transition,” she noted. The investment signals a shift toward recognising that restoring ecosystems is not only environmentally necessary but also economically viable when structured correctly.
Closing the Financing Gap in Nature-Based Solutions
Nature-based climate projects have often struggled to attract large-scale funding despite their importance. Forest conservation, reforestation and mangrove restoration require long-term capital and patient investors. Swedfund’s entry into this space sends a clear message that development finance institutions are ready to support structured, commercially sound environmental platforms.
The Gondwana platform will direct funds into conserving existing forests, expanding reforestation programmes and restoring coastal mangrove ecosystems across the continent. These ecosystems act as natural carbon sinks while also protecting biodiversity and supporting local livelihoods.
Agroforestry will also be a key focus area. By integrating trees into farmland, agroforestry improves soil quality, boosts productivity and enhances resilience against climate shocks. For smallholder farmers, this approach creates more stable income streams while strengthening food systems.
The EU guarantee under the EFSD+ Carbon Sinks programme plays an important role in unlocking this capital. By reducing financial risk, it encourages institutions to invest in projects that may otherwise be seen as too new or complex. This blended finance structure demonstrates how public and private capital can work together to mobilise resources for climate action.
For Swedfund, the investment reflects a long-term commitment. The institution aims to demonstrate that projects rooted in environmental protection can generate measurable impact and sustainable returns. It is a move that aligns climate responsibility with financial discipline.
Linking Climate Action to Community Development
Beyond restoring ecosystems, the platform will expand access to clean cooking solutions in local communities. Many rural households rely on firewood for daily cooking. This increases deforestation and exposes families, especially women and children, to harmful indoor air pollution.
By supporting clean cooking technologies, the initiative reduces pressure on forests while improving health outcomes. It also saves time for women who often spend hours collecting firewood. This time can instead be directed toward income-generating activities or education.
Swedfund’s Energy and Climate team emphasised that the projects are designed to deliver multiple benefits at once. “These projects simultaneously protect biodiversity, support climate action and generate significant social gains,” the team stated. The approach recognises that environmental sustainability and social development are closely connected.
The Gondwana platform is an initiative of Hummingbirds, a Paris-based and female-led developer specialising in community-driven nature projects. The organisation works closely with local partners to ensure projects reflect local realities and deliver direct value to communities. Its model focuses on combining environmental restoration with economic opportunity.
Women and rural populations are expected to benefit significantly from the programme. Through job creation, income diversification and access to clean energy, communities can build resilience while contributing to climate goals.
Swedfund’s $17.7 million investment therefore goes beyond financial support. It represents confidence in a new way of financing climate solutions in Africa. By bringing together development finance institutions, EU-backed guarantees and a specialised project developer, the initiative sets a practical example of how capital can be mobilised at scale.
As climate pressures intensify, investments like this highlight a clear direction. Protecting forests, restoring ecosystems and supporting clean energy access are not separate goals. They are interconnected pillars of sustainable growth. Through the Gondwana platform, Swedfund is backing a model that aims to deliver environmental recovery, community development and financial sustainability in one structured approach.
