This move is part of a broader partnership between the two organizations to increase private financing for African climate solutions.

The allocation to the Helios Climate Fund follows Proparco’s earlier backing of Helios Investment Partners in 2024, when it invested $20 million in Helios Sports & Entertainment Group, a holding company focused on supporting enterprises in sports, cultural, and creative sectors across Africa.

Proparco’s chief executive, Françoise Lombard, emphasized the urgency of scaling up investment in Africa’s climate transition, noting that the continent faces “immense” needs and “significant” opportunities for transformative growth.

Lombard said that by aligning with Helios Investment Partners, Proparco hopes to support African businesses that can expand while delivering clear climate, economic, and social benefits.

The Helios Climate Fund has now completed its second closing, securing around $250 million in total commitments from a mix of development finance institutions and private investors.

Participants in the fund include major development banks such as the European Investment Bank, FMO (the Dutch development bank), British International Investment, Swedfund, the Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets (SIFEM), and the Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries.

Private sector partners include InfraCo Africa, Standard Bank, and the Emerging Markets Climate Action Fund.

This diversified investor base reflects growing institutional interest in climate mitigation and adaptation opportunities across Africa, particularly in sectors such as renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, sustainable transport, resource efficiency, and climate-enabling technologies.

The fund’s expansion builds on previous milestones, including an initial close at about $200 million, and positions the Helios Climate Fund as one of the largest vehicles dedicated to channeling capital toward climate-resilient and low-carbon growth on the continent.