Job Growth & Economic Contribution

Creating high-quality jobs and strengthening workforce capabilities; supporting broader economic growth through wages, supply chains, taxes, and domestic industry expansion.

Back to Our Impact

Jobs and Economics in Africa

Creating quality jobs is integral to inclusive economic growth across Africa. Over 10 million young people enter the African labour market each year, yet only ~3 million formal jobs are expected to be created.

With 70% of Sub-Saharan Africa under the age of thirty, the continent faces a widening employment gap. This challenge is further compounded by the rise of AI and automation, making the creation of high-quality, future-proof jobs especially urgent. Closing this gap increasingly depends on economic growth and private sector development.

Sub-Saharan Africa economies are projected to grow 4.3% in 2026, outpacing the global average. Unlocking that potential requires sustained investment in high-growth sectors that can generate employment at scale and drive long-term economic transformation.

Colleagues in conversation in an open-plan office

Our impact in numbers

100k+

total jobs across the Helios IV portfolio

25k+

female jobs

27k+

youth jobs

$3.3bn+

economic contribution

$588m+

wages paid

$2.6bn+

procurement spend

Case studies

Case Study: BIM Maroc

Enabling job creation and retail sector development in Morocco

Investment date

April 2021

Morocco's retail sector is one of the country's largest employers (~13% of jobs), but is largely informal: ~70% of grocery retail is dominated by traditional, small grocers.

Established in 2009 as the Moroccan subsidiary of BIM Birlesik Magazalar, BIM Maroc ("BIM") operates a discount grocery model. It offers high-quality essential products at affordable prices, leveraging its brand, high-quality private label offering and strong distribution platform. In 2021, Helios acquired a stake in BIM, supporting its expansion across Morocco and operational efficiency. BIM is now the largest discount grocery retailer in Morocco, opening ~150 stores annually. Since our investment, their revenue has grown ~80%.

Delivering Growth with Impact at BIM

Helios supported BIM to further localize its supply chain. Since our investment, the share of products sourced from Moroccan suppliers has risen; 74% of products are now locally manufactured. These efforts have supported indirect jobs across manufacturing, food processing, and logistics, and helped strengthen Morocco's retail supply chain. Going forward, BIM plans to further expand local sourcing.

Helios supported BIM’s expansion into underserved regions (e.g. Béni Mellal-Khénifra), increasing availability of high-quality, essential goods at lower prices than traditional or other modern retailers. BIM plans to further expand its private label offering, expanding its range of quality, low-cost products. Combined, these efforts enhance Moroccan consumers’ purchasing power, and household consumption and stimulate economic activity.

~6,800

staff employed

950+

discount grocery stores across Morocco

3.5k+

direct jobs created

5k+

indirect supply jobs created

More impact priorities

Shoppers choosing fresh produce at a market stall