Investment Fund for Developing Countries

Organizational profile: The Investment Fund for Developing Countries (IFU) is a self-governing fund established by the Danish government. IFU is an independent government-owned fund offering advisory services and risk capital to companies wishing to do business in developing countries and emerging markets. IFU is the fund manager of the Danish SDG Investment Fund and the Danish Climate Investment Fund, among others. IFU has participated in more than 1,300 investments in over 100 countries.

The Danish SDG Investment Fund is a public-private partnership, which will contribute to fulfilling the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals through private sector investments. The fund offers advice and risk capital for projects supporting the development in strategic sectors in developing countries. Focus areas include energy, water and waste, financial inclusion, healthy food and healthy lives and transformational businesses.

Financing Instrument: Equity, Loans, Guarantees

Project scale: IFU can invest up to DKK250 million per project company.

Recipient countries regions/country groups: Global

Recipient categories: Businesses

Eligibility Criteria: Any enterprise wishing to do business in one of the nearly 150 countries eligible for IFU investments can receive financing.
The requirements are:
- The business operation must be deemed to be commercially viable;
- Projects must have a development impact in the host country
- The host country must be on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Development Assistance Committee's list of countries eligible to receive official development assistance (ODA).
IFU’s mandate was changed as of 31 December 2016, so that IFU is no longer tied to Danish companies or a Danish interest.

Application guidelines: Companies may reach out to the fund directly at ifu@ifu.dk with investment proposals.