Matt Levin

The Vancouver-based cleantech firm has more than doubled its previous fundraising total, with new commitments from strategic investors Asahi Glass, Umicore and Bekaert.

The private equity firm will likely hold a first close on more than $523m, topping its entire previous fund. Launched in the second quarter of this year, the fund will be one of the largest dedicated pan-Africa funds raised to date if it meets its target.

The emerging markets specialist has partnered with Old Mutual Investment Group to acquire energy and electrical engineering company Alstom South Africa.

The Oregon Investment Council has also retained its target allocation to private equity at 16 percent.

The emerging markets specialist plans to expand Mo’men Group for Foods throughout Northern Africa and the Persian Gulf. The deal is Actis' second food-related acquisition in Egypt after investing in halawi and tahina maker El-Rashidi El-Mizan.

The region, often the site of political instability, has in the past month been home to several positive developments for private equity.

The Broadview International spin-out will focus on growth equity investments in ‘bootstrap’ US and European tech companies.

Lehman Brothers Private Equity Partners has reached an agreement with ABN AMRO to repurchase stock on its behalf, just a week after Euronext-quoted Conversus struck a similar deal.

The New York middle market specialist has rounded up $550m for Riverside Capital Appreciation Fund V, a source has confirmed.

The second largest US pension suffered a 3.7 percent decline in its overall investment portfolio, its first negative return in six years.