6 | Investment Excellence Awards 2025 Leading ESG Pioneer in Private Equity 2025 – LATAM & Award for Excellence in Responsible Investment 2025 Headquartered in Mexico City, AINDA Energía & Infraestructura is a private equity fund manager focused on the energy and infrastructure sectors in Mexico and Latin America. Its comprehensive range of investment management services include the identification, structuring, and administration of projects in transportation (highways and bridges), logistics infrastructure (ports, airports, multimodal terminals, and railways), water (integrated systems and public concessions), mobility (telepeaje, infratech, urban transport), electricity generation (renewable and non-renewable), electricity transmission and distribution, upstream oil and, midstream oil derivatives and gas, downstream oil and gas, and circular economy and energy. José gives us an insight into what AINDA’s investment process looks like: “AINDAcombines top-down industry analysis with detailed bottom-up evaluation of each opportunity. This dual approach ensures that investments are both strategically aligned and deeply vetted. For instance, prior to acquiring a majority stake in the Durango solar portfolio, AINDA engaged specialized environmental and social advisors to conduct comprehensive ESG due diligence, identifying risk factors with probability assessments and developing risk mitigation strategies aligned with PRI, TCFD, SASB, and GRESB frameworks, while also conducting thorough KYC analysis on potential partners to ensure governance alignment with our Code of Conduct and Ethics”. Of course, the firm integrates rigorous ESG criteria into all of its investment analysis and decision-making processes, establishing the standards for Responsible Investment in the region. AINDA actively manages the operational and financial performance of its portfolio companies, emphasising sustainability, transparency, and long-term value creation. “The most award-winning aspect of AINDA Energía & Infraestructura is its pioneering leadership in responsible investment and sustainability within the Latin American private equity sector. AINDA has consistently set new benchmarks for the industry, most notably by becoming the first private equity fund in Latin America to be listed on a stock exchange with an ESG label (AINDACK18A). This achievement not only established a new standard for transparency and responsible investment in the region but also inspired other funds to adopt international best practices in environmental, social, and governance matters, validated by AINDA’s 5/5 star rating from UNPRI for two years and 100/100 across all modules in 2024, plus 30/30 from GRESB for five consecutive years.” “AINDA’s Responsible Investment policy is aligned with international best practice and is embedded in every stage of the investment cycle,” José tells us. “ESG criteria are systemically integrated from the initial screening and due diligence to asset management and exit strategies. For example, in the case of the CAS [AINDA’s portfolio company] toll road asset, we achieved an 8.4% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions between 2022 and 2024 through highway expansion works, while maintaining our 100/100 GRESB rating as a global sector leader. Also, the implementation of advanced environmental monitoring systems has enabled the reduction of water consumption and improved biodiversity protection in surrounding areas. CAS has also developed community engagement programmes, supporting local education and health initiatives.” AINDA’s approach goes beyond compliance; it takes a proactive stance in establishing clear and ambitious ESG commitments, including a solid Net Zero policy. The firm’s integrated reporting under the latest IFRS S1 and S2 standards, and its alignment with international frameworks such as TCFD, further reflect its transparency and accountability. “In our Jaguar Solar portfolio, comprising 216 MWp of installed capacity in Chihuahua, we generated 422.5 GWh of clean renewable energy in 2024, equivalent to powering 121,000 Mexican households while avoiding significant CO2 emissions,” explains José. “Beyond environmental impact, we’ve invested in local community development through SEP-accredited scholarship programs for residents of Jiménez, Camargo, and Villa Ahumada, offering technical courses in solar panel installation, basic computing, automotive mechanics, and entrepreneurship to build local capacity and create sustainable employment opportunities in the renewable energy sector.” Ultimately, AINDA Energía & Infraestructura has indeed achieved a solid reputation within the industry – thus, it is no surprise that its strategies have earned it multiple awards. Not only is it a worthy winner of our title of Leading ESG Pioneer in Private Equity 2025 – LATAM and the Award for Excellence in Responsible Investment 2025, but it is also proud to have achieved the ALAS20 Grand Prix as the leading ESG investor in Hispanic America. Its assets have been highly successful: Hokchi became the first oil asset globally evaluated under GRESB criteria, achieving a 100/100 rating as a global asset super class leader in 2025 while implementing biodiversity management programs and community development initiatives in Paraíso, Tabasco, including ecological stove construction benefiting 377 people; Neology elevated its GRESB score from 80 to 98/100 in 2025 while expanding enforcement technology solutions that enhance road safety and environmental monitoring; and the Monterrey-Nuevo Laredo highway implemented solar-powered Intelligent Transportation Systems while conducting reforestation programs, achieving 92/100 in GRESB 2025. José concludes, “Through these strategies and concrete examples, AINDA not only differentiates itself within the industry but also advances Responsible Investment standards in Latin America. Its commitment to innovation, transparency, and sustainability continues to set new benchmarks for excellence in private equity and infrastructure investment.” Company name: AINDA Energía & Infraestructura Contact name: José Rinkenbach Website: aindaei.com Established in 2015, AINDA Energía & Infraestructura (AINDA) is a leading private equity fund manager within the energy and infrastructure sectors, its exceptional service offering covering transportation, mobility, renewable energy, and oil and gas. The firm has established itself as a benchmark in Latin America through innovative strategies and robust processes, particularly in ESG integration where it stands as the first PRI signatory in Mexico. Following AINDA’s success with two wins within the Investment Excellence Awards 2025, we speak to Partner, José Rinkenbach to gain a deeper insight into its offering.
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