Apollo Debuts $11 Billion European Lending Arm Backed by Abu Dhabi

Apollo Global Management has launched a European private credit platform with 10 billion euros in lending capacity.

The new entity, called the European Credit Company, has secured $11.2 billion in backing. It will focus on performing credit for large and mid-market companies. The investment scope includes corporate loans, asset-backed lending, and financing for real-asset owners in infrastructure and real estate.

Giacomo Petrobelli will serve as chief executive officer, while Christian Meissner will act as chairman. Petrobelli stated the company aims to capitalize on a generational opportunity. He noted that global capital pools can finance Europe's long-term growth agenda.

Abu Dhabi's Investment Council is a key investor in the new venture. This partnership follows a deal Apollo struck just one week ago. In that separate agreement, Apollo agreed to buy a nearly 10% stake in Mubadala Capital, the alternative asset manager subsidiary of Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund.

Other strategic partners in the platform include European insurance group Athora and Japanese lender Norinchukin Bank. Standard Chartered and Aranda Principal Strategies, a U.S. credit investor, are also part of the group. Apollo released an announcement confirming these relationships.

Petrobelli said the goal is to build a premier pan-European credit platform. He emphasized deep local relationships and flexible solutions that span all credit types. Apollo president Jim Zelter added that the global industrial renaissance is creating tremendous financing needs. He cited energy transition, defense, and digital infrastructure as key areas requiring capital in Europe.