• Swedfund commits $20 million to Helios CLEAR climate fund
• Investment targets low-carbon sectors and climate adaptation in Africa
• Move aims to boost green jobs amid limited regional climate financing

Swedfund, Sweden’s development finance institution, said on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, that it would invest $20 million in the Helios Climate, Energy, Adaptation and Resilience (CLEAR) fund, an Africa-focused climate fund managed by Helios Investment Partners.

The funding will support companies promoting low-carbon and sustainable growth across sectors including renewable energy, sustainable transport, climate-smart agriculture, resource efficiency and digital climate solutions.

The investment will also help strengthen the ability of local businesses and smallholder farmers to adapt to the effects of climate change, contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable economic transition across the continent.

“By investing in this sector, we can reduce emissions, build resilience and create green jobs, all vital for sustainable growth that benefits more people,” said Gunilla Nilsson, Swedfund’s investment director for energy and climate. “Through Helios CLEAR we help build the next generation of African climate-focused businesses.”

The commitment comes as Africa remains among the regions most exposed to climate change, despite accounting for less than 3% of global carbon emissions.

Sub-Saharan Africa attracted just 2.3% of global renewable energy investment in 2024, according to the Global Landscape of Energy Transition Finance 2025 report published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in November. Investment in the region rose to $18 billion in 2024, from an average of $14 billion between 2022 and 2023.

This stands in contrast to Africa’s rapidly growing energy needs, with demand expected to triple by 2050, posing a major challenge for sustainable development. Swedfund said its investment in Helios CLEAR is intended to support a greener, more resilient and inclusive African economy while helping to mobilize additional capital for critical climate initiatives.

Sandrine Gaingne