IFU Funding: The Danish Investment Fund for Developing Countries
61 matching capital sources on the ASFIP database · Last checked October 2026
IFU (Investment Fund for Developing Countries) is Denmark's development finance institution. It invests equity, loans and guarantees in private companies and projects in developing countries, with a focus on green energy, agrifood, health and financial services.
IFU manages several public-private funds, such as the Danish SDG Investment Fund and the Danish Green Future Fund, which bring in pension money alongside IFU's own capital.
What IFU finances
Minority equity, loans and mezzanine, usually several million euros per deal. IFU historically worked with Danish partners; its newer funds also invest in projects without a Danish link where they fit the strategy.
How to approach IFU
Before making contact, have a one-page summary ready: what the project is, where it is, how much you need and in what form (loan, equity, grant), what you have already raised, and the climate or development impact you can measure.
Match your ask to the funder's real ticket size and instruments. Most rejections come from asking the wrong funder for the wrong thing — for example asking a lender for a small grant, or an equity investor for early feasibility money.
The funders
Each profile shows mandate, instruments and sector appetite. Verified contacts and application routes are available to members.
- IFU - Danish Investment Fund for Developing CountriesDFI · DenmarkDenmark's development finance institution, investing risk capital alongside Danish and local partners and managing the Danish SDG Investment Fund and Climate Investment Fund for renewables in emerging markets.EquityMezzanineDebt
- IFU - Investment Fund for Developing CountriesDFI · DenmarkEquityMezzanineDebt
- FMO - Dutch Entrepreneurial Development BankDFI · NetherlandsDutch development bank focused on energy, agribusiness and financial institutions in Africa.DebtConcessional DebtEquity
- U.S. International Development Finance CorporationDFI · United StatesUS development finance institution mobilising private capital into emerging markets.DebtEquityPolitical Risk Insurance
- British International InvestmentDFI · United KingdomUK development finance institution investing in productive, sustainable and inclusive African businesses.DebtEquityMezzanine
- ProparcoDFI · FrancePrivate-sector arm of Agence Française de Développement, active across Francophone and Anglophone Africa.DebtConcessional DebtEquity
- DEG - Deutsche Investitions- und EntwicklungsgesellschaftDFI · GermanyGerman DFI providing long-term finance to private enterprises in Africa.DebtEquityMezzanine
Showing 7 of 61 matching capital sources. The remaining 54 — including their verified routes and eligibility criteria — are reserved for members.
Common questions
- What does IFU stand for?
- IFU stands for the Investment Fund for Developing Countries, Denmark's development finance institution.
- Do I need a Danish partner to get IFU funding?
- Not always. Some IFU funds invest without a Danish partner when the project fits their strategy.
Related guides
Official sources: IFU. Reviewed by the iSustain Global research team against funders' published criteria.