Janus Henderson’s Shariah-Compliant MENA Private Credit Fund IV Reached $191 Million at Second Close:

HedgeCo.Net — Janus Henderson has secured $191 million of investor commitments at the second close of Janus Henderson MENA Private Credit Fund IV, a Shariah-compliant direct lending vehicle targeting $300 million, the firm announced from Abu Dhabi. The commitments, which bring the fund to nearly two-thirds of its target, came from institutional investors and family offices in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
The strategy provides primarily Shariah-compliant financing to profitable mid-market companies in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and selected markets across the Middle East and North Africa. The team focuses on directly originated transactions with downside protection, resilient cash flows, experienced management and clear paths to repayment or refinancing, typically supporting growth, acquisitions, refinancings and shareholder transitions in defensive sectors. Fund IV is expected to make 10 to 12 investments of $15 million to $50 million each over its life.
Fund IV is the fourth private credit vehicle run by a team that began dedicated MENA private credit investing in 2008 and was integrated into Janus Henderson in 2024. Including investments made under its predecessor firm, the Janus Henderson Emerging Markets Private Investments team has completed 40 investments and 36 exits across 10 countries and launched eight funds, four of which have been fully exited.
“The Middle East is a strategically important region for Janus Henderson,” said chief executive Ali Dibadj. Sikander Ahmed, head of MENA private credit, said the close reflects “the growing recognition among regional investors of the role private credit can play in diversified portfolios.”
The fund is small by global standards, but it illustrates two trends worth watching. First, Gulf allocators are increasingly backing private credit locally as mid-market companies look beyond bank lending and capital markets for flexible financing. Second, Shariah-compliant structuring is becoming a differentiator for managers seeking regional capital. With check sizes of $15 million to $50 million, the strategy sits in a part of the market with less competition from mega-funds, though investors will weigh the concentration risk of a 10-to-12-deal portfolio.