Helios Investment Partners

Helios Investment Partners, established in 2004, is a London-based private equity firm focused on Africa. It invests in a broad range of sectors, including telecommunications, media, financial services, power, and consumer goods, among others. The firm engages in various investment types such as buyouts, growth equity, and structured investments in listed entities. Helios typically invests between $15 million to $200 million per transaction, with a preference for board seats in its portfolio companies. It primarily targets Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya.

Fope Adelowo

Principal, Investment Team

Lazarus Angbazo Ph.D

Partner and Head of Portfolio Operations - West Africa

Souleymane Ba

Partner, Investments

Tavraj Banga

Partner and Co-Head of Climate Investments

Sola Carrena

Managing Director, Investment Team

Paul Cunningham

Partner and CFO

Christina Drews

Partner, COO and Member of Executive Committee

Luciana Germinario

COO, Member of Executive Committee and Partner

Jamie Hollins

Principal, Investments

Temitope Lawani

Managing Partner, Member of Executive and Investment Committees

Tope Lawani

Managing Partner

Cecilie Nielsen

Managing Director, Human Capital, Portfolio Operations Group

Ogbemi Ofuya

Partner, Investments

Simon Poole

Partner, Portfolio Operations Group

Max Von Trotha

Managing Director - Integration, Portfolio Operations Group

Elias Yazbeck

Managing Director

Zineb Abbad El Andaloussi

Partner

Past deals in West Africa

SeamlessHR

Series A in 2025
SeamlessHR Limited is a human resource technology software company based in Lagos, Nigeria, founded in 2013. It specializes in creating enterprise-grade, cloud-based HR solutions designed to automate and optimize the entire HR process for medium to large-sized organizations. The company's comprehensive product suite includes a Recruitment Management System, HR Information System (HRIS), Performance and Competency Management, Payroll Management, Leave Management, and Learning Management System, among other modules. These tools facilitate various HR functions such as recruitment, training, payroll processing, performance evaluation, and analytics, enabling businesses to streamline their human resource operations from recruitment to retirement. Additionally, SeamlessHR provides embedded finance solutions that enhance financial security for both employers and employees.

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

Debt Financing in 2021
Africell, established in 2001, is a prominent mobile telecommunications operator in Africa, focusing on connecting and empowering local communities in its markets. With a commitment to traditional African values, Africell has become the leading provider in Gambia and Sierra Leone, while also expanding its presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, where it acquired Orange Uganda. The company offers a range of services, including 2G, 3G, and plans for LTE, catering to the diverse needs of its subscribers. By the end of 2016, Africell had reached a total of 11 million active subscribers across its operations. The company emphasizes community engagement and aims to enhance connectivity across the regions it serves.

Axxela

Acquisition in 2019
Axxela Limited is a company that operates a natural gas distribution network in West Africa, focusing on the development of gas and power infrastructures. It aims to create a comprehensive energy offering that includes pipeline gas, compressed natural gas (CNG), and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Additionally, Axxela provides captive power services, which involve high-pressure transmission pipelines and gas processing facilities. By facilitating the transition to natural gas, Axxela helps clients meet their energy needs while contributing to a reduction in carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, and sulfur oxide emissions.

Africell

Debt Financing in 2018
Africell, established in 2001, is a prominent mobile telecommunications operator in Africa, focusing on connecting and empowering local communities in its markets. With a commitment to traditional African values, Africell has become the leading provider in Gambia and Sierra Leone, while also expanding its presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, where it acquired Orange Uganda. The company offers a range of services, including 2G, 3G, and plans for LTE, catering to the diverse needs of its subscribers. By the end of 2016, Africell had reached a total of 11 million active subscribers across its operations. The company emphasizes community engagement and aims to enhance connectivity across the regions it serves.

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.

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.

Axxela

Private Equity Round in 2016
Axxela Limited is a company that operates a natural gas distribution network in West Africa, focusing on the development of gas and power infrastructures. It aims to create a comprehensive energy offering that includes pipeline gas, compressed natural gas (CNG), and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Additionally, Axxela provides captive power services, which involve high-pressure transmission pipelines and gas processing facilities. By facilitating the transition to natural gas, Axxela helps clients meet their energy needs while contributing to a reduction in carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, and sulfur oxide emissions.

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
The Resort Group is a prominent luxury hotel owner, developer, and operator based in Cape Verde, recognized as the largest private investor in the nation’s history. The company operates five resorts on Sal Island: Melia Dunas, TUI Suneo Dunas, Melia Llana, TUI Blue Llana, and Melia Tortuga, with a significant construction pipeline of 6,500 rooms. Specializing in identifying future touristic hotspots, The Resort Group has successfully completed various projects in prime beachfront locations and has transitioned to direct management of its resorts. Since launching its first project, Melia Tortuga, in 2011, the group has garnered accolades, including the World Travel Awards' Cape Verde Leading Hotel and the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. Melia Dunas, opened in 2014, is the largest resort in Africa and has also received prestigious awards. The group has created nearly 2,000 jobs for locals, significantly impacting Cape Verde's economy, while advancing the vision of its founder, Rob Jarrett, to showcase the country's natural beauty as a world-class tourist destination.

Starzs Investments Company

Debt Financing in 2015
Starzs Investments Company Limited is a prominent indigenous offshore oil and gas services provider based in Nigeria. The company specializes in marine transportation and logistics, catering to both international and local oil companies. Its range of services includes towage, anchoring, and positioning of offshore assets, as well as ship management and maritime security logistics support. By offering a variety of tailored services, Starzs Investments enables its clients to select solutions that best meet their operational needs in the challenging offshore environment.

ARM Pension Managers PFA

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.

MallforAfrica

Private Equity Round in 2013
MallforAfrica is Africa's larges online mall which enables Africans from 35 countries purchase items from international retailers in the US and UK who do not accept local currency or ship to Africa. Its online platform and payment system gives its users access to over 250 US/UK retailers and over 2 billion products. MallforAfrica was successfully sold with an IP and Platform exit in 2021. MallforAfrica was launched by Chris Folayan in June 2012 and its operations are based in Nigeria

Eland Oil & Gas

Private Equity Round in 2012
Eland Oil & Gas PLC is an independent oil and gas company focused on the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas properties in West Africa, primarily in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Aberdeen, UK, the company holds interests in the OML 40 license, covering 498 square kilometers, and a 40% interest in the Ubima field, which spans 65 square kilometers in Rivers State. Eland Oil & Gas PLC was acquired by Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc as of December 17, 2019.

First City Monument Bank

Private Equity Round in 2007
First City Monument Bank, established in 1982 and headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, is a prominent commercial bank that offers a diverse array of financial services. As part of the FCMB Group, the bank caters to individuals, small and medium enterprises, and large corporations through its personal, business, and corporate banking divisions. Its offerings include loans, savings and current accounts, credit cards, and online banking, facilitating digital transformation in the banking sector. Additionally, First City Monument Bank provides specialized services such as cash management, foreign exchange, corporate finance, and trade services, which encompass financial advisory, capital raising, and infrastructure financing.

HTN Towers

Private Equity Round in 2005
HTN Towers is the first independent tower operator in Africa, established in 2006, with a significant presence in Nigeria. The company manages a diversified portfolio of over 2,000 tower sites, primarily located in urban and suburban areas across 34 of Nigeria's 36 states, with a notable concentration in Lagos and Abuja. HTN Towers specializes in providing passive infrastructure for the telecommunications industry, offering colocation services, distributed antenna systems, and managed services. The company designs, builds, and operates its tower site infrastructure, which includes essential components such as ground space, tower structures, and advanced power management systems to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
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