Signing of Investment Agreement for Africa wide “Industrial Development PE Investment Project” (Overseas Investment and Loan): Contributing to industrial development through investment in growing companies in Africa ｜ News & Press Releases

On November 12, 2025, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed an investment agreement with Helios Investment Partners (Helios), a leading private equity (PE) fund in Africa.

The project will invest in Helios’ Fund No. 5 in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group, the European Investment Bank (EIB), a policy-based financial institution of the European Union, and other development finance institutions and private investors.

Managing Partner Mr. Lawani (left) and then-Director Hatsukaeda (right) expressing their pre-commitment at a TICAD 9 side event

Principle to be keynote speaker at Helios-sponsored event.

1. investee

Helios Investors V, L.P. (Helios Fund V)

2. country (region covered)

Wide Area of Africa

3. amount of capital contribution

US$50 million

4. project name

Industrial Development PE Investment Business

5. business purpose

This project aims to strengthen the competitiveness of companies and enhance access to finance by fostering the PE market, thereby contributing to the development of industries in the African region through investment in the No. 5 fund managed by Helios, one of the largest PE funds specializing in Africa.

6. business overview

Helios Fund V is a fund managed by Helios, which invests in companies that contribute to the development of industries such as financial inclusion and digital inclusion in the African region.

7. contribution to SDGs

Goal 5 (Achieve gender equality)

Goal 8 (both job satisfaction and economic growth)

Goal 9 (Create a foundation for industry and technological innovation)

Goal 10 (Eliminate inequality among people and nations)

Goal 13 (take concrete action on climate change)

Goal 17 (Let’s achieve our goals in partnership)

8. other

This project is the flagship of IDEA (Impact Investing for Development of Emerging Africa), a public-private co-creation impact investment initiative announced by JICA at a side event of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) on August 22, 2025. The project is the flagship of IDEA (Impact Investing for Development of Emerging Africa), a public-private co-creation impact investment initiative.

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