SIFEM commits USD 15 million to first close of Helios CLEAR fund
The Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets (SIFEM), managed by responsAbility Investments AG, announces its co-anchor role in the first close of the Helios CLEAR Fund, a dedicated climate investment fund for Africa, managed by Helios Investment Partners. This milestone marks a significant step towards fostering sustainable development and combating climate change across the African continent.
Supporting Africa's Climate Champions
Approximately USD 200 million were secured from eight leading institutions for the Helios CLEAR Fund’s first closing. Targeting a total of USD 400 million, the fund aims to support and scale African climate champions, focusing on five key areas:
Green energy solutions
Climate-smart agriculture and food
Green mobility and logistics
Recycling and resource efficiency
Digital and financial climate enablers
Anthony Mwangi Njoroge, Principal and Co-Head Africa Fund of Funds at responsAbility, states: “this milestone marks a significant achievement for a climate-focused Africa private equity fund, underscoring strong investor confidence in the fund manager’s capacity to build a diversified portfolio of companies with substantial climate impact across Africa, while delivering robust financial returns.”
Addressing Africa's Climate Finance Gap
Despite the immense opportunities, Africa currently attracts only 2 percent of global investments in clean energy but needs USD 2.8 trillion by 2030 to meet its climate goals. The UN warns that the continent faces a USD 2.5 trillion shortfall in financing needed to cope with climate change by 2030.1
Helios' Proven Track Record
Helios Investment Partners, the largest Africa-focused private investment firm, brings a 20-year track record of successful private equity investments in Africa. The CLEAR Fund is led by Co-Heads Tavraj Banga and Chris North, both partners at Helios, who will oversee the deployment of capital with immediate effect.
About responsAbility Investments AG responsAbility Investments AG is a leading impact asset manager specializing in private market investments across three investment themes. These themes directly contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Financial Inclusion, to finance the growth of Micro & SMEs; Climate Finance, to contribute to a net zero pathway; and Sustainable Food, to sustainably feed an ever-growing population. All responsAbility investment solutions target specific measurable impact alongside market returns.
Since its inception in 2003, responsAbility has deployed over USD 15.3 billion in impact investments. With over 270 employees collaborating across 8 offices, as of 30 June 2024 the company manages USD 5.0 billion in assets across approximately 280 portfolio companies in around 70 countries. Since 2022, responsAbility has been part of M&G plc, the international savings, and investments business, and contributes to enhancing M&G’s capabilities in impact investing.
Contact
Richard Rogers
responsAbility Investments AG
+41 44 403 2151
media@responsability.com
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