SIFEM Closes a Strong 2024 with USD 173 Million in Investments, Ending the Year with Three New Deals

February 20253 min readImpact, Emerging MarketsFund Investments

Zurich, 10 February 2025 - The Swiss development finance institution SIFEM, managed by responsAbility Investments AG, capped off a successful year by signing three deals in December, bringing its total commitments to a record USD 173 million across 12 deals in 2024 — the highest volume since SIFEM's inception. This underscores SIFEM’s continued dedication to fostering sustainable development in emerging markets.

SIFEM has announced the successful closing of three investments in December 2024, with a total commitment of USD 45 million. The investments span diverse regions — including Southeast Asia, Africa, and India — and focus on critical areas such as financial inclusion, climate resilience, and access to quality healthcare.

Overview of Investments in December

1. Navis Asia Credit Fund Commitment: USD 15 million Investment Strategy: The fund provides senior secured loans to mid-sized enterprises in Southeast Asia, focusing on financial inclusion and bridging gaps in private credit markets. Target sectors include consumer goods, social infrastructure, and light manufacturing, with an emphasis on SIFEM priority countries like Vietnam and Indonesia. Development Rationale: This is SIFEM’s first current income fund in Southeast Asia, addressing the underdeveloped credit markets in the region. It is expected to deliver stable returns while contributing to SIFEM’s climate targets through climate-related investments.

2. LeapFrog Climate Fund Commitment: USD 15 million Investment Strategy: A global emerging markets fund investing in high-growth companies addressing climate challenges in Asia and Africa. Target sectors include energy, mobility, and sustainable agriculture. Development Rationale: LeapFrog’s innovative climate strategy aims to future-proof economies impacted by climate change. SIFEM’s investment catalyzed private capital and strengthened LeapFrog’s credibility as a climate impact leader.

3. Somerset Indus Healthcare India Fund III Commitment: USD 15 million Investment Strategy: The fund invests in middle market growth companies that provide healthcare products and services to underserved regions of India. Its focus includes affordable primary and secondary care, pharmaceuticals, MedTech, and digital healthcare. Development Rationale: This fund will seek to expand access to affordable and quality healthcare in India, with a primary focus on underserved populations and Tier II and Tier III cities. The Fund is expected to create formal jobs and promote upskilling and training opportunities.

Jörg Frieden, Chairman of SIFEM’s Board of Directors, said: “The successful closing of these five investments demonstrates SIFEM’s commitment to driving inclusive and sustainable development in emerging markets. Each investment contributes to our strategic objectives of fostering economic growth, creating quality jobs, and advancing climate resilience and gender equality.”

Ralph Keitel, Head Fund Investments at responsAbility, said: “The three successful closings in December alone cap an already successful year, with SIFEM having invested a total of USD 173 million in 2024 — the highest volume since SIFEM was established. As Portfolio Manager, we take pride in our achievements since assuming the SIFEM mandate in March 2023and look forward to deepening our successful cooperation with, and on behalf of, the SIFEM Board.”

About SIFEM SIFEM serves as Switzerland’s Development Finance Institution (DFI). Established in 2011 as a public limited company fully owned by the Swiss Confederation, SIFEM plays a key role in Switzerland's international cooperation strategy. SIFEM provides long-term financing to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing and emerging countries through local financial intermediaries. By doing so, SIFEM aims to reduce poverty while fostering sustainable, inclusive, and resilient economies. Its focus also extends to tackling the root causes of climate change and enhancing communities' resilience to its effects.

About responsAbility Investments AG responsAbility Investments AG is a leading impact asset manager specializing in private market investments across three investment themes. These themes directly contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Financial Inclusion, to finance the growth of Micro & SMEs; Climate Finance, to contribute to a net zero pathway; and Sustainable Food, to sustainably feed an ever-growing population. All responsAbility investment solutions target specific measurable impact alongside market returns.

Since its inception in 2003, responsAbility has deployed over USD 16.3 billion in impact investments. With over 270 employees collaborating across 7 offices, as of 31 December 2024 the company manages USD 5.4 billion in assets across approximately 300 portfolio companies in around 70 countries. Since 2022, responsAbility has been part of M&G plc, the international savings, and investments business, and contributes to enhancing M&G’s capabilities in impact investing.

Contact

Richard Rogers
responsAbility Investments AG
+41 44 403 2151
media@responsability.com

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