Helios Investment Partners Market Research Report

Company Overview

• Name: Helios Investment Partners

• Mission Statement: Bridging international capital and know-how to African talent and enterprise.

• Founded: 2004

• Founders: Tope Lawani and Babatunde Soyoye

• Key People:

• Tope Lawani, Managing Partner

• Babatunde Soyoye, Managing Partner

• Elias Yazbeck, Managing Director - Financial Services/Fintech

• Guy Willner, Managing Director - Digital Infrastructure

• Headquarters: 2nd Floor, 12 Charles II Street, St James's, London, SW1Y 4QU

• Number of Employees: No information is available

• Revenue: No information is available

• Notable Aspects: Largest Africa-focused private investment firm with a focus on private equity and credit investments across 30 African countries.

Products & Investments

• Private Equity: Invests in African market leaders focusing on core sectors such as financial services, technology, digital infrastructure, tech-enabled business services, and consumer non-discretionary sectors.

• Key Features: Diversified portfolio with strong growth and operational support, targeting high potential platform companies.

• Climate Investments: Providing growth capital to support low-carbon transitions in Africa.

• Key Features: Focus on climate-smart agriculture, green transport, renewable energy solutions, resource efficiency, and financial services with high climate impacts.

• Digital Ventures: Targets venture capital opportunities with a focus on fintech, human capital, and emerging technologies.

• Key Features: Investment in early-growth venture rounds (Series B+) aimed at building digital champions in Africa.

Recent Developments

• Helios Joins 2X Global Network (February 19, 2024): Joined a network that focuses on women’s economic empowerment.

• New Appointment: Elias Yazbeck joins as Managing Director for Financial Services and Fintech, and Guy Willner as Managing Director for Digital Infrastructure.

• Awards:

• Firm of the Year in Africa for the fifth consecutive year by Private Equity International in March 2024.

• Received the GPCA Social Impact Award for the investment in Solevo in November 2023.

• Investments and Exits:

• Led Series D funding round for M2P Fintech to expand across Africa with a $100M investment in September 2024.

• Exited its investment in Solevo, which led to significant organizational transformation and market leadership.

• Listed CAB Payments on the London Stock Exchange.

• Expenditures include high-profile investments like IXAfrica and Maroc Datacenter, forming landmark digital infrastructure projects.

• Strategic Moves: Secured ESG-linked financing facilities aligned to performance targets, showcasing environmental and social responsibility efforts.

Summary

Helios Investment Partners stands as a pivotal player in Africa's evolving economic landscape, leveraging substantial capital and in-depth local insights to foster innovation and growth across multiple high-potential economic sectors. The firm's approach uniquely intertwines stringent investment discipline with active portfolio management, aided by a robust local presence in major African and global financial hubs. As it continues to cultivate market-leading businesses, Helios reinforces its stature as a premier investment partner on the continent.