CDC Group, the US$4 billion U.K. government-backed emerging markets fund of private equity funds, has made new commitments totaling US$180 million to four private equity funds in Latin America.

CDC has made allocations to Actis Latin American Private Equity Fund III, a Brazil-focused fund on mid-market buyouts; Aureos Latin America Fund, a pan-regional fund; Patria’s Brazilian Private Equity Fund III, which invests in Brazilian middle-market companies; and Advent Latin American Private Equity Fund IV, which invests in Mexico and Brazil.

The investments bring CDC’s overall investment in Latin America to US$976 million.

“Throughout Latin America there remains a shortage of funding for small and mid-size private businesses and a widespread need for private equity,” said Sven Söderblom, CDC’s portfolio director for Latin America. “In particular, Brazil, which is the largest economy in Latin America, currently offers great opportunities for private equity, with robust growth projections, a fast growing middle class and fragmented industry sectors.”
 
CDC currently has US $2.2 billion invested with over 30 fund managers in over 80 funds.