TheEuropean Investment Bank (EIB Global) has invested $75 million in Helios Investors V (Helios Fund V). The investment will enable the fund to support the growth of companies that provide digital infrastructure across Africa.
Theannouncement was made by EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle at the Finance in Common Summit in Cape Town in February 2025.
The fund will support businesses that provide data centres, fibre-optic networks and telecom towers. As well as tech-enabled business services like cloud services, health tech and logistics tech, and financial services and technology digital payments or financial management software.
Additionally, the fund will also support companies that provide healthcare or education and training.
Fayolle said, “We are happy to be partnering with Helios. 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 investment is fully aligned with the Global Gateway priorities being implemented by Team Europe.”
The investment by EIB Global is part of the organisation’s contribution to the Team Europe approach. The bank is working with other European-based development finance institutions to support the growth plans of emerging African businesses. Last year, the bank invested €232 million in funds operating across Africa.
Helios Investment Partners is an investment firm that works to create new businesses, provide growth capital and build profitable businesses across Africa. The company has committed to dedicating at least 30% of the fund’s portfolio to companies that meet the EIB’s gender equality criteria.
Under the gender equality criteria, businesses that apply can include their gender-smart initiatives that support coaching and mentoring, capacity building and encouraging women into senior positions.
David Masondo, Chair of the Public Investment Commission said, “South Africa welcomes this funding, which strengthens business collaboration and mobilises capital for high-impact sectors. It aligns with our commitment to enhancing capital markets, digital technologies and financial infrastructure for inclusive growth.”
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