1. Wealth
June 14, 2011

FT: Helios Sets Record for African Private Equity

By Spear's

The largest ever amount of money for a new private equity fund targeting Africa has been raised by Helios Investment Partners with a $900m investment vehicle.

The largest ever amount of money for a new private equity fund targeting Africa has been raised by Helios Investment Partners with a $900m investment vehicle.

In the latest sign of burgeoning investor appetite for the continent, the new fund attracted orders of more than $1bn, according to Helios, a pan-African private equity group co-founded by former TPG executive Tope Lawani.

Mr Lawani said that about 70 per cent of the financing came from outside development finance institutions, the highest proportion yet for an Africa fund and illustrative of a broadening spread of interest in the potential for private equity on the continent.

“Investors are more open-minded now. They have seen returns can be found in lots of places not just the large developed markets,” he said.


To read the full story, visit ft.com


For more Spear’s coverage on the issue, visit our Africa Special, where Josh Spero examines the new breed of post-post-colonial investors who are recognising Africa’s potential.

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