Helios savours success after string of deals in Africa

Money Markets

Helios Investment principal partner Pierre Heinrich looks on during the acquisition deal signing of sale of shares held by Orange East Africa in Telkom Kenya to Jamhuri Holdings limited at treasury buildings in Nairobi on June 10, 2016. SALATON NJAU (NAIROBI)  

By BRIAN NGUGI, @bnjoroge, bnjoroge@ke.nationmedia.com

In Summary

• “…it shows that our investments are hinged not just on sound business credentials, but social impact,” said Fanisi’s Managing Partner, Ayisi Makatiani while welcoming the award.
• The Awards run by Private Equity Africa, a UK-based financial media and events firm now in their fifth year celebrate the achievements of investors and advisors active on the african continent.

Helios Investment Partners' string of private equity deals on the continent have earned it recognition as the 2016 private equity deal maker of the year in Sub Saharan Africa.

Billed as the largest ever fund dedicated to African private equity, the UK firm, co-founded by Africans was feted as Sub Saharan Africa Fund of the Year and Sub-Saharan Africa House of the Year for partaking in several successful acquisitions but also divestments.

The awards are run by Private Equity Africa, a UK-based financial media and events firm now in their fifth year celebrates the achievements of investors and advisors active in Africa.

Helios recently acquired a 60 per cent stake in Telkom Kenya after France Telecom, currently trading as Orange SA, exited the Kenyan telecom market. Helios also sold its 12.22 per cent stake in Equity Bank to Norwegian funds Norfund and NorFinance for $230 million.

The PE firm also made in the recent past several other key investments including its first-ever Egyptian investment, backing electronic and payments platform Fawry.

It acquired a 12.4 per cent stake in Canadian oil and gas company Africa Oil Corp for $100 million and backed Crown Agents, specialist providers of financial solutions in emerging markets.

Achievements of investors

Helios, established in 2004, has made investments in countries across Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, South Africa and Morocco. It invests between $30 million (Sh2.8 billion) and $200 million (Sh19 billion) in each company.

Two Kenyan firms were also awarded in the awards.

READ: Mergers and acquisitions in East Africa on the rise

Also read: PE firms more than double Africa focused funds

Venture capital fund, Fanisi Capital, which manages a $50 million venture capital fund was feted as Portfolio Company of the Year for Social Impact in one of its investee companies, Haltons Pharmacy.

Haltons Pharmacy is a retail pharmacy chain in which Fanisi has invested $5 million since 2013.

Its social impact has been seen in raising awareness about lifestyle diseases, which have become prevalent in Kenya as urbanization takes root.

“…it shows that our investments are hinged not just on sound business credentials, but social impact,” said Fanisi’s Managing Partner, Ayisi Makatiani while welcoming the award