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KKR raises $2.5 billion for Asia Pacific private credit bets

BusinessKKR raises $2.5 billion for Asia Pacific private credit bets

Global investment firm KKR has completed a $2.5 billion fundraise to back privately originated performing credit investments across Asia Pacific, it said in a press statement.

The raise comprises $1.8 billion for KKR Asia Credit Opportunities Fund II and $700 million from separately managed accounts pursuing a similar strategy. At final close, the fund is the largest pan-regional performing private credit fund in Asia Pacific, KKR said on Wednesday.

The close follows KKR’s first Asia Pacific dedicated private credit fund, which raised $1.1 billion in 2022 and was the largest inaugural pan-regional fund focused on performing credit at the time. Performing private credit refers to loans made to companies that are current on repayments, unlike distressed or special situation credit.

KKR’s Asia credit platform has already signed 10 investments through the second fund, representing $1.9 billion in KKR commitments, including other pools of capital. Total transaction volume across these deals stands at $4.6 billion.

“Asia is a key pillar of KKR’s global credit strategy,” said Diane Raposio, partner and head of Asia Credit and Markets at KKR. She added that growing investor demand for credit allocations in the region reflects both structural growth and the need for flexible, non bank financing solutions.

Private credit has expanded rapidly in Asia over the past decade, though it remains smaller than in the US and Europe. The market has gained momentum as regional banks have become more selective in lending, while sponsors and corporates seek customised financing for acquisitions, refinancing and growth capital.

The fund will focus on performing, privately originated credit across three core themes: senior and unitranche direct lending, capital solutions, and collateral-backed investments. Unitranche loans combine senior and subordinated debt into a single facility, offering borrowers speed and flexibility while providing lenders with enhanced yields.

According to KKR, its Asia credit strategy targets opportunities in Australia, Greater China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. Since 2019, the firm has closed more than 60 Asia credit investments, with about $8.3 billion invested by KKR and total transaction value of $27.5 billion. These deals span sectors such as healthcare, education, real estate, logistics and infrastructure.

SJ Lim, Managing Director and Head of Asia Private Credit at KKR, said “Private credit remains a relatively nascent yet compelling opportunity across the region. We see strong demand for private credit as an important tool for sponsors or corporates seeking flexible financing solutions and bespoke, partnership-oriented capital to support growth and meet their diverse needs.”

The latest fund attracted commitments from a broad investor base, including insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, family offices, banks and asset managers, reflecting the growing institutionalisation of private credit in the region.

Globally, KKR has built one of the largest credit investment platforms over the past two decades. As of September 30, 2025, the firm managed about $282 billion of credit assets, including roughly $143 billion in leveraged credit, $131 billion in private credit and $8 billion in strategic investments. KKR employs around 250 credit investment professionals across 12 offices worldwide.

KKR is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and operates across private equity, credit, real assets and insurance through its Global Atlantic Financial Group unit.

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