Helios Joins 2X Global
Helios Investment Partners (“Helios”), a leading Africa-focused alternative investment manager, is pleased to announce that it has joined 2X Global, a global industry body that aims to increase the volume and impact of capital directed towards women’s economic empowerment worldwide.
As a member of 2X Global, Helios will build on its existing work to advance diversity and inclusion, applying 2X gender-based criteria to future funds and strategies. This will include pursuing initiatives such as investing in women-led businesses, supporting gender-smart businesses and leaders through coaching/mentoring and capacity building, supporting women into senior positions and collaborating with other network members to share best practices and lessons learned. Through its investments, the firm aims to support women’s economic empowerment and contribute towards more equitable economies in Africa.
Helios believes that companies with strong ESG standards and performance will generate superior financial returns. As part of this, it recognises the important role that gender-smart investments play in achieving both financial success and driving positive impact, and consistently strives to ensure gender-balanced management teams for its portfolio management companies.
With a strong track record of delivering impact over the past 20 years, Helios is looking forward to contributing to 2X Global community, helping to build capacity, advance standards, and mobilise more capital towards gender-smart investments.
Tope Lawani, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Helios Investment Partners, commented:
“As a B Corp certified and impact-driven investor, we are excited to join 2X Global. Our mission has always been to deliver globally competitive investment returns and measurable impact. Our two decades of investing in African markets has taught us the power of purposeful investing and we are dedicated to improving the lives of women across sectors. Joining 2X Global is therefore a natural progression for us and we look forward to collaborating with other members to help shape a future where gender-smart investing and inclusivity are at the core of financial decisions.”
CEO of 2X Global, Jessica Espinoza expressed her delight at Helios becoming a part of the 2X Global community, commenting:
“Helios has already been recognised and rewarded within the industry for their impact-driven investments. So, we feel that joining 2X Global is a very natural next step - they will certainly find community within our membership! We are thrilled that they are now part of 2X Global and we’re really looking forward to the cross-pollination of their insights and expertise and the opportunities for collaboration with and learning from our other members.”
