– Our Work

Selected case studies showcasing how Helm helps clients achieve growth outcomes through advisory support, stakeholder alignment and hands-on delivery.

– Case Study 1

Air Service Development – Air Connect Namibia (Namibian Airports Company)

The Ask

Helm was contracted by the Namibian Airports Company (NAC) to structure, launch, and implement an air service development initiative to increase ease of air access to Windhoek. The programme was initiated in response to slow post-COVID international passenger recovery, and launched as Air Connect Namibia in March 2024 as a collaborative public-private partnership.

Helms Approach

  • Structured and supported the launch of the national air service development initiative
  • Developed key air service development materials, including:
    • Business cases
    • Stakeholder engagement presentations
    • Legal frameworks
  • Developed a national air service development white paper and supported its implementation
  • Supported the client in executing key route development engagements, including:
  • Supported the client in executing key route development engagements, including:
    • Routes World (2022, 2023, 2024)
    • AviaDev (2023, 2024)
    • International missions to airline offices / HQ engagements
    • Ongoing airline engagement and route discussions
  • Supported strategy delivery through business case development and iterative strategy updates
  • Supported NAC’s efforts to strengthen collaboration across aviation, tourism, and investment agencies across Namibia’s public and private sectors

Impact

Since inception, Helm has supported Air Connect Namibia in securing:

  • 8 new regional routes
  • Namibia’s second intercontinental route
  • 3 new carriers
  • 1 route expansion 

– Case Study 2

Air Service Development – Botswana Air Access (Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana)

The Ask

Helm was contracted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB) to develop and implement a national air service development initiative across four international airports:

  • Sir Seretse Khama International Airport
  • Kasane International Airport
  • Maun International Airport
  • PG Matante International Airport

The initiative was launched as a public-private partnership in June 2024, with a mandate to increase international services and grow the economic impact of the aviation sector.

Helms Approach

  • Developed a national air service development strategy, including:
  • Supported implementation through:
    • Attendance at route development conferences (Routes World 2024, AviaDev 2024)
    • Development of carrier-specific business cases
    • Direct engagement with carriers at HQ level
    • Implementation of communications strategy
  • Supported CAAB to establish interest and commitment from domestic stakeholders
  • Supported CAAB in a successful bid to host AviaDev 2026

Impact

Since inception, Helm has supported Botswana Air Access with:

  • Hosting a national stand at Routes World 2024
  • Engaging with 20+ carriers in route discussions
  • Developing a project marketing plan
  • Developing a successful bid document to host AviaDev 2025
  • Securing early commercial outcomes, including:
    • 1 new regional route commitment
    • 1 regional route expansion
    • 1 cargo flight introduction

– Case Study 3

Investment Promotion – Building an Investment Pipeline

The Ask

Build an actionable investment pipeline for a sub-Saharan African country, including identification and activation of target investors.

Helms Approach

  • Benchmarked global data tools used in investment promotion processes
  • Conducted extensive analysis of 5-year and 10-year FDI flows into the country
  • Identified leading investors by region, geography, and city-level trends
  • Built a long-list of target companies and prioritised them based on propensity to invest
  • Identified key decision-maker contacts within priority target companies
  • Supported activation of engagements with target companies
  • Developed curated messaging by geography and sector
  • Delivered training to strengthen the investment promotion team’s targeting capability

Impact

  • Recommended a data tool for procurement through a structured benchmarking process
  • Developed a long-list of 2,800+ potential target companies globally
  • Shortlisted companies by region to support prioritised outreach
  • Produced tailored messaging to strengthen engagement effectiveness
  • Improved internal capability through training for ongoing investor targeting 

– Case Study 4

Investment Promotion – Developing an Investment Playbook

The Ask

Develop a practical Investment Playbook to guide investor targeting, including recommended SOPs and KPIs.

Helms Approach

  • Completed economic analysis of investment and export positioning
  • Reviewed the organisation’s 2024–2028 Strategic Plan
  • Analysed global best practices for investor targeting, engagement programmes, and KPIs
  • Benchmarked comparable IPA practices (including Wesgro and UK DIT) and relevant tools
  • Developed a draft playbook and refined it through iterative engagement with executives and the wider team

Impact

Produced a practical Investment Playbook outlining best practices, SOPs, and KPIs

Ensured the playbook was adaptable and focused on implementable steps

Strengthened internal alignment and delivery readiness through executive and team refinement

– Case Study 5

Public Affairs – Global Aviation Carrier

The Ask

Support a globally recognised aviation carrier to build stronger relationships with key government entities in South Africa, and improve engagement across the domestic and international aviation ecosystem.

Helms Approach

  • Mapped key issues within the aviation ecosystem (domestic and international)
  • Completed a stakeholder analysis identifying 22 key stakeholders critical to decision-making
  • Defined and applied five engagement methodologies across stakeholders
  • Developed clear, tailored messaging for each stakeholder group
  • Implemented a proactive stakeholder engagement programme following client approval

Impact

  • Engagements completed with more than half of the target stakeholders within a 3-month period
  • Improved structure and consistency of government engagement and messaging
  • Strengthened the client’s ability to navigate the South African aviation stakeholder environment 

– Case Study 6

Public Affairs – JSE-Listed Mixed Use Developer

The Ask

Support a JSE-listed, globally recognised mixed-use developer with regulatory navigation during implementation of a major development project.

Helms Approach

  • Conducted a situational analysis to identify current and prospective regulatory challenges
  • Identified five significant potential challenge areas
  • Mapped 33 key stakeholders across national, provincial, and local government
  • Facilitated confidential and public-facing engagements with relevant stakeholders
  • Provided ongoing guidance aligned to the client’s operational requirements
  • Developed a draft playbook and refined it through iterative engagement with executives and the wider team

Impact

  • Improved stakeholder coordination and engagement across government structures
  • Supported more effective navigation of regulatory risks and challenges
  • Strengthened the client’s ability to progress development through proactive engagement 

“Helm brought clarity, structure and momentum to a highly complex project. Their strategic insight and ability to translate data into action delivered results well beyond our expectations.”

— Alex Morgan, Director of Strategy