Stockholm (NordSIP) – Swedfund, the Swedish government’s development financier offering financing, expertise and financial support for investments in emerging markets with the objective of reducing poverty through sustainable entrepreneurship, is selling its 19% share in the Nairobi Women’s Hospital (NWH), according to a press release. The buyer is the Abraaj Global Health Fund, a health fund for investments in developing countries managed by the Abraaj Group.
Swedfund, whose investment strategy rests on the fundamentals of social development, sustainability and financial viability, has been an active, responsible and long-term investor since 1979, with holdings in more than 260 companies. It initially invested in NWH in 2013, which has since become one of Kenya’s largest private healthcare professionals, operating five fully equipped hospitals employing over 450 employees, of which over 60% are women.
In addition, NWH offers outpatient care and hospital care to women and their families, focusing on low and middle earners. Its hospitals are specialized in women’s care needs, with a Gender Violence Recovery Centre attached to each of its units offering free healthcare and psychological support to victims of gender-related abuse, having helped over 27,000 people so far.
The Abraaj Global Health Fund which has purchased Swedfund’s 19% share has a clear focus on sustainability, having been awarded an A+ rating from the UNPRI’s Reporting and Assessment for the second consecutive year. A number of internationally renowned investors such as the IFC, the African Development Bank, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and several European development finance initiatives have previously invested in Abraaj’s funds.
“NWH plays an important role in the healthcare sector in Sweden, and Swedfund is proud to have contributed to funding, education and action plans for environmental and social improvement measures. With a buyer like Abraaj, who focuses on African health care, we feel confident that NWH is still in good hands,” said Swedfund CEO Anna Ryott.
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