United States $30 Billion Kuwait-Backed Alternative Investment Firm Wafra Increased Shareholding in France $200 Billion Private Markets Firm Ardian, Acquired Minority Stake in 2025 November, Wafra Strategic Partnership Funds Invest in Leading Alternative Asset Management Businesses, Ardian Founded in 1996 as AXA Private Equity with $100 Million & Management Buyout by Dominique Senequier in 2013 to Create Ardian, Wafra Founded in 1985 by Public Institution for Social Security (PIFSS) as Wafra Investment Advisory Group to Manage Investments in United States for Sovereign Institutions from Kuwait & Gulf States
17th July 2026 | Hong Kong
United States Kuwait-backed alternative investment firm Wafra ($30 billion AUM) has increased shareholding in France private investment firm Ardian ($200 billion AUM), having acquired minority stake in 2025 November. Wafra Strategic Partnership Funds invest in leading alternative asset management businesses. Wafra was founded in 1985 by Public Institution for Social Security (PIFSS) as Wafra Investment Advisory Group to manage investments in United States for sovereign institutions from Kuwait & Gulf states. Ardian was founded in 1996 as AXA Private Equity with $100 million, and a management buyout led by Dominique Senequier in 2013 to create Ardian. Ardian History – Our company was born in 1996, when Claude Bébéar, chairman of AXA, asked Dominique Senequier to create a private equity arm for the insurer. He promised to invest one franc for every two she raised from outside investors. Bébéar’s pledge fostered a huge determination in the young company to win clients and turn them into long-term partners by delivering excellent service and outstanding investment performance. AXA Private Equity launched with a $100m French Buyout fund and two external clients. Two decades later, Bébéar recalled : « I gave her 25 million, I think it was in Francs, and she achieved incredible growth. » In 2013, Dominique Senequier led an employee buyout of AXA Private Equity and created Ardian – Europe’s leading private investment house, with 320 staff and $36 billion under management or advice. Around 80% became owners of the business through shares in the company. Wafra – Wafra is a global alternative investment manager with approximately $30 billion in assets under management across strategic partnerships, real assets & infrastructure, and real estate. For more than 40 years, Wafra has provided flexible and accretive capital solutions across asset classes while building enduring partnerships with high-quality asset owners, companies, and management teams. Headquartered in New York, Wafra has additional offices in London and Bermuda. Announcement (16/7/26): “Wafra Inc. (“Wafra”), a leading New York-based alternative investment firm, announces it is increasing its shareholding in Ardian, a world-leading private investment firm with $200 billion of assets under management. This commitment builds on Wafra’s initial strategic investment from November 2025 and is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. The transaction is expected to close between late 2026 and early 2027. The enhanced ownership position cements Wafra’s support of Ardian as a market leader across asset classes and geographies. Since becoming a shareholder in Ardian last year, Wafra has closely aligned with the firm’s senior leadership on a range of strategic growth initiatives across Ardian’s product set and investor base. This investment in Ardian is made through Wafra’s Strategic Partnership funds which focus on investing in leading alternative asset management businesses. A pioneer in GP stakes investing, Wafra’s experience as a specialist investor and deep network of asset manager and asset owner relationships provides a distinguished approach for the mutual benefit of its clients and partner managers.
“ United States $30 Billion Kuwait-Backed Alternative Investment Firm Wafra Increased Shareholding in France $200 Billion Private Markets Firm Ardian, Acquired Minority Stake in 2025 November, Wafra Strategic Partnership Funds Invest in Leading Alternative Asset Management Businesses, Ardian Founded in 1996 as AXA Private Equity with $100 Million & Management Buyout by Dominique Senequier in 2013 to Create Ardian, Wafra Founded in 1985 by Public Institution for Social Security (PIFSS) as Wafra Investment Advisory Group to Manage Investments in United States for Sovereign Institutions from Kuwait & Gulf States “
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Adel Alderbas, Chief Investment Officer at Wafra: “Our decision to increase our investment in Ardian reflects our high conviction in the firm’s leadership, culture and long-term growth trajectory. We were delighted to have the rare opportunity to partner with Ardian last year and have collaborated closely with the firm’s leadership since then. Even in the short time since becoming a shareholder, we’ve already experienced early wins demonstrating the full breadth of our strategic capabilities and unique network of global institutional investors.”
United States $30 Billion Kuwait-Backed Alternative Investment Firm Wafra Increased Shareholding in France $200 Billion Private Markets Firm Ardian, Acquired Minority Stake in 2025 November, Wafra Strategic Partnership Funds Invest in Leading Alternative Asset Management Businesses, Ardian Founded in 1996 as AXA Private Equity with $100 Million & Management Buyout by Dominique Senequier in 2013 to Create Ardian, Wafra Founded in 1985 by Public Institution for Social Security (PIFSS) as Wafra Investment Advisory Group to Manage Investments in United States for Sovereign Institutions from Kuwait & Gulf States
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