Vietnam
Investment/M&A activities:
- Switzerland's SIFEM reups in Excelsior Vietnam with $20m commitment: Switzerland’s development finance institution SIFEM has committed USD20 million to Excelsior Capital Vietnam Partners’ second fund (ECVP II), a USD200 million growth equity vehicle targeting mid-sized companies in Vietnam. This follows SIFEM’s earlier USD12 million investment in Excelsior’s debut fund in 2019. ECVP II will focus on sectors including healthcare, consumer, education, and technology, deploying capital via active minority stakes in equity or quasi-equity. Read more here.
- South Korea's HD KSOE to acquire Doosan Vina for $207 million: HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), a subsidiary of HD Hyundai, has announced the USD207 million acquisition of Doosan Vina, a Vietnamese manufacturer specializing in thermal power plant boilers, port cranes, and LNG modules. The deal, finalized with Doosan Enerbility, enables HD KSOE to expand its production of eco-friendly vessels and establish a strategic base in Asia for building independent tanks and port infrastructure. Proceeds from the sale will allow Doosan Enerbility to scale up operations in high-growth sectors such as small modular reactors and gas turbines, aligning with global energy transition trends. Read more here.
Philippines
Investment/M&A activities:
- IFC weighs another $250m sustainability-linked loan for PH's Ayala Land: The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is proposing a new PHP14.3 billion (USD250 million) sustainability-linked loan to Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), the Philippines’ largest property developer, to finance the construction of two shopping malls in Makati’s Greenbelt district and Kawit, Cavite. Building on a 2024 loan that supported renovations of 10 flagship malls, this eight-year local currency facility will fund developments on brownfield sites, with completion expected between 2027 and 2028. Read more here.
EMEA
Investment/M&A activities:
- Finnfund raises €80m for digital access fund: Finnfund, the Finnish development financier, has achieved the first close of its Digital Access Impact Fund I (DAIF), raising EUR80 million with anchor commitments from Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Finnfund itself. The fund targets investments in digital infrastructure and scalable technology solutions across underserved regions in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, focusing on telecom towers, connectivity platforms, and financial inclusion tools. Read more here.
- Japanese LP backs Novastar Ventures fund: Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) has committed capital to Novastar Ventures’ Africa People and Planet Fund III, signaling growing Japanese institutional interest in African venture capital. The fund, managed by Nairobi-based Novastar Ventures, targets early-stage startups that drive inclusive economic growth and address critical social and environmental challenges across the continent. SMBC’s investment aligns with its broader strategy to support innovation and social value creation in emerging markets. Read more here.
