Private equity firm
Helios Investors
One of the largest Africa-focused private investment firms, founded by Tope Lawani and Babatunde Soyoye.
Africa mandate and approach
Makes control and significant minority investments in established African businesses across financial services, telecommunications, energy, consumer and sports and entertainment.
Investment focus
- Sectors
- Financial servicesTelecoms and digital infrastructureEnergy and powerConsumerClimate and energy transitionManufacturing and industrialsTechnology
- Stages and strategies
- GrowthBuyoutSeedSeries A
- Instruments
- EquityDebtMezzanine
- Regions
- Africa-wide, Pan-African
- African markets named in public materials
- Nigeria, Kenya
Funds managed
Selected portfolio and direct investments
- 3MDC
- Frigoinvest Nigeria Holdings B.V.
- Merec Industries S.A.
Recent investments and transactions
| Date | Transaction | Type | Value | Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Oct 2026 | Helios Investment Partners to acquire acquires a 49% interest in Merec Industries | Private Equity | Undisclosed | Mozambique |
| 9 Dec 2025 | Helios acquisition of Frigoinvest Nigeria Holdings B.V transferring control of Beta Glass for over EUR 100 million | Private Equity | $116.3m | Nigeria |
| 9 Dec 2025 | Helios Investment Partners & Fipar-Holding's Investment in 3MDC | Private Equity | Undisclosed | Morocco |
Related analysis
- Helios’s Beta Glass offer shows Nigeria’s takeover rules looking through the holding chain 26 Sep 2026
- Egypt’s privatisation pipeline is a two-year legal mandate queue, and it is already staffed 27 Sep 2026
- Who advised: counsel named on West Africa’s largest deals, July to September 2026 26 Sep 2026
- Data centres are becoming Africa’s fastest-emerging M&A vertical, and the legal work is different 12 Aug 2026
Sources
- Helios today, Helios Investors. Accessed 14 November 2026.
- Partner Researchers, accessed 14 November 2026