Helios Fund V has raised $75 million investment funding from EIB Global to invest in companies in digital infrastructure, financial services and technology, and tech-enabled service sectors including education, training and healthcare, which are aligned with the priorities of the EU-Africa Global Gateway Investment Package.
The European Investment Bank (EIB Global) made the funding into Helios Investors V, L.P. (Helios Fund V) run by fund manager, Helios Investment Partners, is the world’s largest Africa-focused private investment firm. Helios Fund V will focus on companies in sectors like digital infrastructure, financial services and technology, and tech-enabled business services, in alignment with the EU-Africa Global Gateway Investment Package priorities.
According to EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle, “We are happy to be partnering with Helios – an important pan-African equity firm that has been operating in Africa for over two decades, with good access to investment opportunities, and a strong network and local footprint. We look forward to supporting them as they invest in market-leading, value-creating and socially responsible enterprises for the mutual benefit of Africa and the European Union. This is fully aligned with the Global Gateway priorities being implemented by Team Europe.”
The fund will support the growth of companies that help provide digital infrastructure like data centres, fibre-optic networks and telecom towers; tech-enabled business services like cloud services, health tech and logistics tech; and financial services and technology like bank tech payments or financial management software: It will also support companies that help provide healthcare or education and training.
Helios has committed to the objective of devoting at least 30% of the fund’s portfolio to companies that meet the EIB’s gender equality criteria. It joined the 2X Global network in January 2024. Support for businesses under this theme can include gender-smart initiatives, coaching and mentoring, capacity building and encouraging women into senior positions.
David Masondo, Deputy Minister of Finance in South Africa and Chair of the Public Investment Commission, attended the signing. He remarked, “Private capital fuels growth, and EIB Global’s investment in Helios V showcases innovative financing to unlock Africa’s potential.”
Last year EIB Global invested €232 million in funds operating across Africa – representing 49% of total fund investments by the Bank, showing the increased focus on spurring private capital flows on the continent.
