Helios Investors II

Helios Investment Partners LLP is a private equity and venture capital firm established in 2004 and headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The firm focuses on investments across Africa, particularly in Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya, and engages in a variety of investment types, including buyouts, growth equity, and structured investments in listed entities. Helios targets sectors such as telecommunications, media, financial services, power, utilities, travel, leisure, distribution, fast-moving consumer goods, logistics, and agro-allied industries. Investment sizes typically range from $15 million to $200 million per transaction, and the firm often seeks board representation in its portfolio companies.

Dennis Aluanga

Partner, Portfolio Operations

Henry Obi Cbe

Partner, Public & Regulatory Affairs and Member of Investment Committee

Paul Cunningham

Partner & Chief Financial Officer

Tope Lawani

Managing Partner

Alykhan Nathoo

Partner

Babatunde Soyoye

Co-Founder, Managing Partner, and Member of Executive & Investment Committees

Dabney Tonelli

Investor Relations Partner

65 past transactions

Axxela Ltd

Acquisition in 2019
Axxela Limited operates a natural gas distribution network. The company was formerly known as Oando Gas and Power Limited and changed its name to Axxela Limited in October 2017. The company was incorporated in 2001 and is based in Lagos, Nigeria.

Taptap Send

Venture Round in 2020
Taptap Send is an app that lets immigrants send money back home to Africa instantly and at very low prices. Since launching in summer 2018, it has already moved tens of millions of dollars and reached tens of thousands of customers. It is live in seven European countries, and support payments into Senegal, Mali, Zambia, Ghana and the Ivory Coast, with more countries launching soon.

Eland Oil & Gas

Private Equity Round in 2012
Eland Oil & Gas PLC, together with its subsidiaries, engages in development, exploration, and production of oil and gas properties in West Africa. The company primarily holds interests in the OML 40 license, which covers an area of 498 square kilometers located in the Niger Delta; and a 40% interest in the Ubima field that covers an area of 65 square kilometers located in the northern part of Rivers State. It also provides financing services. Eland Oil & Gas PLC was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Aberdeen, the United Kingdom. As of December 17, 2019, Eland Oil & Gas PLC operates as a subsidiary of Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc.

Starsight Energy

Debt Financing in 2020
Starsight Energy provides premier clean on-grid and off-grid energy services to commercial and industrial clients in Africa. We make clean energy a smart bottom-line decision for clients by eliminating all up-front costs. Clients pay an all-inclusive monthly fee for end-to-end service.

Crown Agents Bank Ltd

Acquisition in 2016
Crown Agents Bank Limited provides banking, public financial management, procurement, supply chain management.

Zola Electric

Venture Round in 2021
ZOLA Electric provides off-grid solar solutions for African markets. The company engages in leasing or selling solar home kits to individual households in Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast. It offers solar systems to homes and businesses in rural communities through solar as a service model. ZOLA Electric was formerly known as Off-Grid Electric Tanzania Limited and changed its name to ZOLA Electric in July 2018. The company was founded in 2012 and is based in Arusha, Tanzania with an additional office in San Francisco, California.

Wananchi Group

Private Equity Round in 2014
Established in 2008, the Wananchi Group Holdings (Wananchi) is East Africa's leading home entertainment operator.And a serious player in the corporate communications market too. It takes it's name and underlying ethos from the former Wananchi Online, which was committed to servicing the emerging African mass consumer market through provision of high quality yet affordable home internet services. Today It is a fully vertically integrated media and telecoms company consisting of several business divisions providing a unique set of services in the markets which are operated.

Watanmal Group

Merger/Acquisition in 2017
As of May 2, 2017, Watanmal Group operates as a subsidiary of Gallina Blanca, S.A.

Mulu

Seed Round in 2013
Mulu is a deep learning platform built specifically to identify millions of commercially available products, however, and wherever they're mentioned online. Publishers and bloggers use Mulu to automatically offer the products they mention for sale on the page. Ad platforms use Mulu to show target ads and build user interest graphs. Retailers and curation sites use Mulu to automate their affiliate links around the web and organize their inventory into thousands of curated collections on the fly.

Fertilizers and Inputs Holding B.V.

Merger/Acquisition in 2017
Fertilizers and Inputs Holding B.V. distributes fertilizers, crop protection products, seeds, and industrial chemicals throughout West-Africa. The company was founded in 1947 and is based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Fertilizers and Inputs Holding B.V. operates as a subsidiary of Louis Dreyfus Company B.V.

Zola Electric

Series D in 2016
ZOLA Electric provides off-grid solar solutions for African markets. The company engages in leasing or selling solar home kits to individual households in Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast. It offers solar systems to homes and businesses in rural communities through solar as a service model. ZOLA Electric was formerly known as Off-Grid Electric Tanzania Limited and changed its name to ZOLA Electric in July 2018. The company was founded in 2012 and is based in Arusha, Tanzania with an additional office in San Francisco, California.

Impact Oil & Gas Ltd

Private Equity Round in 2014
Impact Oil & Gas aims to become a leading oil and gas exploration company.

Interswitch

Venture Round in 2011
Interswitch is an Africa-focused integrated digital payments and commerce company that facilitates the electronic circulation of money as well as the exchange of value between individuals and organisations on a timely and consistent basis. The company started operations in 2002 as a transaction switching and electronic payments processing company that builds and manages payment infrastructure as well as deliver innovative payment products and transactional services throughout the African continent.

Starsight Power Utility

Private Placement in 2018
Starsight Power Utility operates as an energy efficiency company. StarSight is an independent energy efficiency company delivering sustainable solar power and cooling services to our customers. Our objective is to achieve significant and measurable cost savings for our clients whilst being the catalyst to deliver a substantial reduction in Carbon Emissions for your business.

Oando Trading Limited

Merger/Acquisition in 2015
Oando Trading Limited is an oil trading company that supplies petroleum products to customers in the West African market, as well as coastal markets across Africa and internationally. It trades large volume cargoes to oil marketers and other small volume oil marketing retailers. The company offers gasoline, crude oils, bitumen, diesel (AGO), base oils, naphtha products, fuel oils, and jet A1/DPK products. It also offers tanker-chartering services, including time charter and spot charter to a range of international and national oil trading companies worldwide. The company was incorporated in 2004 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Oando Trading Limited operates as a subsidiary of Oando PLC.

Tailor Brands

Series A in 2016
Tailor Brands is a revolutionary branding platform that allows clients in over 35 countries across the world to design everything their business needs with zero effort and minimal costs. Using machine learning we create unique, beautiful logos and brand identities within minutes. Our automated process requires no technical skills, and allows anyone to build their perfect brand.

Zola Electric

Series D in 2018
ZOLA Electric provides off-grid solar solutions for African markets. The company engages in leasing or selling solar home kits to individual households in Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast. It offers solar systems to homes and businesses in rural communities through solar as a service model. ZOLA Electric was formerly known as Off-Grid Electric Tanzania Limited and changed its name to ZOLA Electric in July 2018. The company was founded in 2012 and is based in Arusha, Tanzania with an additional office in San Francisco, California.

JCDecaux South Africa

Acquisition in 2009
JCDecaux South Africa (Pty) Ltd provides advertising services for marketers across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. Its services include the design and printing of artwork, and the display of outdoor advertising.

The Quantum Group

Debt Financing in 2017
The Quantum Group, a company based in Ghana with vertically-integrated operations in the transportation and logistics of refined petroleum products.

Lionano

Series B in 2018
Lionano Inc., a battery technology company, researches, develops, and commercializes battery materials. It serves electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and grid storage markets. Lionano Inc. was incorporated in 2013 and is based in Woburn, Massachusetts.

Equity Group Holdings

Private Equity Round in 2007
Equity Bank Kenya is a financial services provider headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. It is licensed as a commercial bank by the central bank of Kenya, the central bank, and national banking regulator. Equity Bank Kenya Limited was incorporated in 2014 as a result of the corporate restructure of Equity Group Holdings Limited.

Misr Hytech Seed

Acquisition in 2019
Producer of proprietary agricultural seeds based in Egypt. The company develops hybrid seeds of white corn, yellow corn, grain and fodder sorghum, sweet corn and vegetable for farmers which adapted to the Egyptian market. Misr Hytech is one of Egypt’s leading seed companies. They use the latest breeding, production and conditioning technologies to provide high quality seed to farmers. As part of their overall commitment to their farmer customers, they also provide technical services for farmer’s crop production needs.

First City Monument Bank

Private Equity Round in 2007
First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Ltd is a full service banking group, headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria with the vision to be the Premier Financial Services Group of African origin.

ARM Pension Managers PFA Ltd

Private Equity Round in 2014
ARM Pension Managers PFA Limited (“ARM Pensions”), a subsidiary of ARM. ARM Pensions is Nigeria’s largest independent pension fund manager.

The GB Foods, S.A

Private Equity Round in 2017
The Gb Foods Africa Holding Company SL manufactures and markets meal products in Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, and CIS Republics. The company was founded in 2015 and is based in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.

Starsight Energy

Debt Financing in 2021
Starsight Energy provides premier clean on-grid and off-grid energy services to commercial and industrial clients in Africa. We make clean energy a smart bottom-line decision for clients by eliminating all up-front costs. Clients pay an all-inclusive monthly fee for end-to-end service.

Telkom Kenya Limited

Merger/Acquisition in 2015
Telkom Kenya Limited provides integrated telecommunications services for residential and business customers in Kenya. The company offers mobile services, including mobile prepaid, mobile postpaid, wireless, international calling, HD voice, VoIP, roaming, short codes, iPhone, and e-Bill; fixed/landline services, such as voice and Internet; Internet/data services; domain and mail hosting services; and Orange money services. It offers mobile telephony services under GSM and CDMA platforms; and services through its terrestrial fiber optic network. The company was founded in 1999 and is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Vivo Energy Holding BV

Merger/Acquisition in 2016
Vivo Energy Holding BV, through its subsidiaries, distributes and sells fuel and lubricants under the Shell brand name to retail and commercial consumers. The company also sells LPG under the Butagaz brand name. It has operations in Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Senegal, Tunisia, Uganda, and South Africa. The company was incorporated in 2011 and is based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Vivo Energy Holding BV operates as a subsidiary of Vivo Energy plc.

TPAY Mobile

Acquisition in 2018
TPAY provides mobile payment services in the Middle East and North Africa. The company was founded in 2014 and is based in Cairo, Egypt. TPAY operates as a subsidiary of A15.

Misr Hytech Seed

Merger/Acquisition in 2019
Producer of proprietary agricultural seeds based in Egypt. The company develops hybrid seeds of white corn, yellow corn, grain and fodder sorghum, sweet corn and vegetable for farmers which adapted to the Egyptian market. Misr Hytech is one of Egypt’s leading seed companies. They use the latest breeding, production and conditioning technologies to provide high quality seed to farmers. As part of their overall commitment to their farmer customers, they also provide technical services for farmer’s crop production needs.

Zola Electric

Private Placement in 2018
ZOLA Electric provides off-grid solar solutions for African markets. The company engages in leasing or selling solar home kits to individual households in Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast. It offers solar systems to homes and businesses in rural communities through solar as a service model. ZOLA Electric was formerly known as Off-Grid Electric Tanzania Limited and changed its name to ZOLA Electric in July 2018. The company was founded in 2012 and is based in Arusha, Tanzania with an additional office in San Francisco, California.

Helios Towers Africa

Private Equity Round in 2014
Helios Towers Africa has operations in Ghana, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and a sister company in Nigeria. The number of mobile subscribers in Africa has increased from just 16 million people in 2000 to over 500 million today. Based on these growth levels and without an increase in the sharing of telecoms tower facilities, the number of towers in Africa will need to double from the current number of 75,000, a significant environmental impact.

Africa Oil Corp

Post in 2015
Africa Oil is a Canadian oil and gas company with assets in Kenya and Ethiopia as well as Puntland (Somalia) through its 41% equity interest in Africa Energy Corp. Africa Oil's East African holdings are within a world-class exploration play fairway with a total gross land package in this prolific region in excess of 200,000 square kilometers. The East African Rift Basin system is one of the last of the great rift basins to be explored. Several new significant oil discoveries have been announced in the Lokichar basin of Kenya in which the Company holds a 50% interest along with operator Tullow Oil plc. The Company is listed on the TSX and on Nasdaq Stockholm under the symbol "AOI".

Trustco Bank

Post in 2017
The mission of Trustco Bank is to be the low cost provider of high quality services to our customers in the communities we serve and return to our owners an above average return on their investment. To learn more, click on the links below.

Techniques Science Santé

Acquisition in 2021
Techniques Science Santé is a distributor of high tech medical equipment. For 25 years, T2S has been the leader in the distribution and maintenance of radiology (MRIs, scanners) and radiotherapy equipment (accelerators for oncology) and has today the largest installed base in Morocco. It has since broadened its product range and is now the one stop shop service provider for healthcare projects. It is active in Africa since 2008 and has run projects in Mauritania, Ivory Coast and Mali. The company has revenues of c.m40€ and has 140 employees.

Africell Holding

Debt Financing in 2021
Africell was established in 2001 in Africa and has been shaped by traditional African values, putting the communities in their markets at the heart and soul of our business. Connecting and empowering local communities lies at the very core of our strategy. Africell is one of the fastest-growing mobile telecommunications operators in Africa. They have established theirselves as the number one provider in Gambia and Sierra Leone and are rapidly growing our newer operations in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, where we purchased Orange Uganda. Africell Holding owns 100% of Africell’s operations in Gambia, Sierra Leone, DRC, and 98.99% of Africell Uganda. The total number of active subscribers reached 11 million by end of 2016. All four operations offer voice and 3G data services with plans to deploy LTE services, which are already available in Kampala, Uganda.

Axxela Ltd

Merger/Acquisition in 2016
Axxela Limited operates a natural gas distribution network. The company was formerly known as Oando Gas and Power Limited and changed its name to Axxela Limited in October 2017. The company was incorporated in 2001 and is based in Lagos, Nigeria.

Africell Holding

Debt Financing in 2018
Africell was established in 2001 in Africa and has been shaped by traditional African values, putting the communities in their markets at the heart and soul of our business. Connecting and empowering local communities lies at the very core of our strategy. Africell is one of the fastest-growing mobile telecommunications operators in Africa. They have established theirselves as the number one provider in Gambia and Sierra Leone and are rapidly growing our newer operations in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, where we purchased Orange Uganda. Africell Holding owns 100% of Africell’s operations in Gambia, Sierra Leone, DRC, and 98.99% of Africell Uganda. The total number of active subscribers reached 11 million by end of 2016. All four operations offer voice and 3G data services with plans to deploy LTE services, which are already available in Kampala, Uganda.

Africatel

Private Equity Round in 2007
Africatel Holding BV, operates as a holding company and provides telecommunication services.

Fawry

Merger/Acquisition in 2015
Fawry is a pioneering Electronic Payment Network, offering financial services to consumers and businesses through more than 65 thousand locations and a variety of channels. It offers a convenient and reliable way to pay bills and other services in multiple channels (online, using ATMs , mobile wallets and retail points) The company's network of retailers includes small groceries, pharmacies and stationaries, and post-offices, all equipped with point-of-sale machines – the same ones used for credit card payments.

49% Stake in 4 Companies

Merger/Acquisition in 2015
As of July 4, 2016, 49% Stake in 4 Companies was acquired by Vitol Holding B.V. and Helios Investment Partners LLP. 49% Stake in 4 Companies represents the combined operations of Apapa Spm Limited, Ebony Oil and Gas Limited, Oando Marketing Limited and Oando Supply & Trading Ltd. in their sale to Helios Investment Partners LLP and Vitol Holding B.V. Apapa Spm Limited owns and operates a marina jetty and subsea pipeline system. Ebony Oil and Gas Limited distributes oil. Oando Marketing Limited retails and distributes petroleum product. Oando Supply & Trading Ltd. trades petroleum products in the sub-Saharan region. Apapa Spm Limited, Oando Supply & Trading Ltd., and Oando Marketing Limited are based in Nigeria. Ebony Oil and Gas Limited is based in Ghana.

Segovia

Merger/Acquisition in 2019
Segovia Technology Co. operates an online platform to deliver critical payments in challenging environments for relief and anti-poverty programs. The company’s platform enables users to analyze data in real-time, automate routine tasks, track actions, and integrate payments across payment providers. Segovia Technology Co. was incorporated in 2014 and is based in New York, New York.

Thunes

Series B in 2021
Thunes is a B2B cross-border payments network that enables corporates and financial institutions to move funds seamlessly and provide financial services in emerging markets. Our global platform connects mobile wallet providers, banks, technology companies, and money transfer operators in more than 100 countries and 60 currencies. Through our growing network, Thunes' solutions allow over 400 partners across the world to send and receive money on a global scale. Thunes is headquartered in Singapore with regional offices in London, Shanghai, New York, Dubai, and Nairobi.

Acorn Group

Private Placement in 2020
Acorn Holdings Limited develops and manages rental accommodation for young people in Nairobi. The company was founded in 2001 and is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Starsight Power Utility

Private Equity Round in 2018
Starsight Power Utility operates as an energy efficiency company. StarSight is an independent energy efficiency company delivering sustainable solar power and cooling services to our customers. Our objective is to achieve significant and measurable cost savings for our clients whilst being the catalyst to deliver a substantial reduction in Carbon Emissions for your business.

OVH Energy - Oando Licensee

Private Equity Round in 2016
OVH Energy, is the second largest downstream fuels company in Nigeria.

The Resort Group

Debt Financing in 2016
TRG is the market leader of luxury resort development in Cape Verde and have established partnerships with some of the world’s most recognized hotel brands.

Telkom Kenya

Acquisition in 2016
Telkom Kenya was established as a telecommunications operator under the Companies Act in April 1999. We provide integrated communications solutions in Kenya with the widest range of voice and data services as well as network facilities for residential and business customers. We are proud to play a prominent role in the information and communications technology sector, serving millions of Kenyans across the country. The company, as at June 2011, has a customer base of approximately 2,800,000 customers on GSM, fixed and CDMA wireless platforms with a country-wide presence.

Fawry

Private Equity Round in 2015
Fawry is a pioneering Electronic Payment Network, offering financial services to consumers and businesses through more than 65 thousand locations and a variety of channels. It offers a convenient and reliable way to pay bills and other services in multiple channels (online, using ATMs , mobile wallets and retail points) The company's network of retailers includes small groceries, pharmacies and stationaries, and post-offices, all equipped with point-of-sale machines – the same ones used for credit card payments.

Starsight

Private Equity Round in 2018
Starsight provides captive power and energy efficiency solutions to commercial, multi-site clients in Nigeria through long-term contracts.

Thunes

Series B in 2020
Thunes is a B2B cross-border payments network that enables corporates and financial institutions to move funds seamlessly and provide financial services in emerging markets. Our global platform connects mobile wallet providers, banks, technology companies, and money transfer operators in more than 100 countries and 60 currencies. Through our growing network, Thunes' solutions allow over 400 partners across the world to send and receive money on a global scale. Thunes is headquartered in Singapore with regional offices in London, Shanghai, New York, Dubai, and Nairobi.

Axxela Ltd

Merger/Acquisition in 2019
Axxela Limited operates a natural gas distribution network. The company was formerly known as Oando Gas and Power Limited and changed its name to Axxela Limited in October 2017. The company was incorporated in 2001 and is based in Lagos, Nigeria.

Bayport Management

Private Equity Round in 2013
Bayport Financial Services Limited provides microfinance lending services to low and middle income borrowers and small businesses. The company was incorporated in 2002 and is based in Lusaka, Zambia. Bayport Financial Services Limited operates as a subsidiary of Bayport Management Limited.

MallforAfrica

Private Equity Round in 2013
MallforAfrica is an online mall that enables Africans to find and purchase items from international retailers. Its online platform and payment system gives its users access to numerous retailers from the U.S. and U.K. MallforAfrica was launched by Chris Folayan in June 2012 and its operations are based in Kano.

Vivo Energy

Acquisition in 2011
Full Investment Portfolio: Non-current Assets: Property, Plant and Equipment - 24.52% Right-of-use Assets - 5.24% Intangible Assets - 6.73% Investments in Joint Ventures and Associates - 6.76% Deferred Income Taxes - 1.01% Financial Assets At Fair Value Through OCI - 0.26% Other Assets - 3.27% Current Assets: Inventories - 15.40% Trade Receivables - 13.43% Other Assets - 7.65% Income Tax Receivables - 0.26% Cash And Cash Equivalents - 15.40% Founded in 2011, Vivo Energy is a corporate firm that distributes and markets petroleum products in Africa.

Pipeline Network

Seed Round in 2016
Pipeline implements software based IoT solutions to enable various industries to enjoy increase in yield and efficiency.

Starzs Investments Company

Debt Financing in 2015
Starzs Investments Company Limited, a leading indigenous Nigerian offshore oil & gas services company.
Helios Fairfax Partners Corporation, an investment holding company, focuses on investing in public and private equity securities and debt instruments of African businesses or other businesses with customers, suppliers, or business primarily conducted in, or dependent on, Africa. The company was formerly known as Fairfax Africa Holdings Corporation and changed its name to Helios Fairfax Partners Corporation in December 2020. Helios Fairfax Partners Corporation was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

TTMFS Singapore Pte Ltd.

Private Placement in 2020
TTMFS Singapore Pte Ltd. develops a platform Thunes, which provides cross-border network payment solutions for emerging economies. Its products include P2P remittance processing, corporate mass payouts, and digital payment services. TTMFS Singapore Pte Ltd. caters to mobile wallet operators, corporations, merchants, money transfer operators, and banks. The company was incorporated in 2018 and is headquartered in Singapore.

Axxela Ltd

Private Equity Round in 2016
Axxela Limited operates a natural gas distribution network. The company was formerly known as Oando Gas and Power Limited and changed its name to Axxela Limited in October 2017. The company was incorporated in 2001 and is based in Lagos, Nigeria.

Africa Oil Corp

Merger/Acquisition in 2018
Africa Oil is a Canadian oil and gas company with assets in Kenya and Ethiopia as well as Puntland (Somalia) through its 41% equity interest in Africa Energy Corp. Africa Oil's East African holdings are within a world-class exploration play fairway with a total gross land package in this prolific region in excess of 200,000 square kilometers. The East African Rift Basin system is one of the last of the great rift basins to be explored. Several new significant oil discoveries have been announced in the Lokichar basin of Kenya in which the Company holds a 50% interest along with operator Tullow Oil plc. The Company is listed on the TSX and on Nasdaq Stockholm under the symbol "AOI".

TPAY Mobile

Merger/Acquisition in 2018
TPAY provides mobile payment services in the Middle East and North Africa. The company was founded in 2014 and is based in Cairo, Egypt. TPAY operates as a subsidiary of A15.