In 2021, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of MDIF’s first investment. In total, we have provided $270.1 million in financing, including $233.5 million in loans and equity investments, $36 million in technical assistance (TA) and TA grants.
Over a quarter of a century, we have invested in 138 independent media businesses across 45 countries. The largest share of our cumulative investments has been concentrated in Europe (77%).
In 2021, MDIF finished the year with $147.5 million total assets under management and a portfolio of 56 media businesses in 32 countries. We invested a total of $34.8 million in 13 media companies, with 10 new clients joining our portfolio. We managed and carried out our investments through a structure that included eight private equity, debt and hybrid funds and other investment vehicles.
From digital startups to national multiplatform broadcasters, we ended the year with investments in 56 independent media businesses of different sizes, types of activity and business models operating across different geographies spread across 32 countries, from Kosovo to Lesotho and from Peru to Malaysia.
56 out of 56 of MDIF clients operated in countries where the media environment is not good, according to Reporters Without Borders’ World Press Freedom Index2. Additionally, 44% of MDIF-supported media organisations included in our annual questionnaire reported experiencing attacks, arrests or harassment in the past year.
44% of clients reported
experiencing attacks, arrests or
harassment in the past year
100% of clients were
in countries where press freedom
is not good
Last year, our investments supported the work of more than 5,798 journalists, publishers and other media workers. Average female participation stood at 47% among staff, 45.5% among management, and 42.5% among newsroom leadership.
5,798 media workers
supported
47% average female
representation among
clients’ staff
MDIF also delivers non-financial value and engages actively in its investments by providing business and management support and we broaden our impact by launching or partnering in media support projects. Last year, we delivered $3.5 million in tailored technical assistance and TA grants through Media Advisory Services (MAS), our capacity building unit, and through five media support projects, including in Southern Africa, Southeast Asia and Ethiopia.
in venture support
and TA grants
engaged through MAS,
our capacity building unit
strengthening media
beyond MDIF portfolio