The International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, has built up a portfolio of investments in emerging market investment funds representing a commitment of $1 billion in about 100 funds, over 80 percent of which are private equity. IFC also has stakes in about 25 fund management companies.

Since 2001, the Private Equity and Investment Funds Department has been adding value to its portfolio to improve financial returns and have a sustainable impact on emerging markets. This is done through:

• Leveraging IFC's internal resources and partnerships.
• Organizing value-added exchanges and synergies within the portfolio.
• Developing best practices for the management of emerging market fund of funds
• Implementing state-of-the art management information systems.

The Funds Department has also become IFC's center of expertise for the selection and structuring of new funds, leveraging and sharing the experience gained from its portfolio, and constantly adapting best industry practices to the constraints of the different markets it operates in.

IFC continues to support the private equity industry in emerging markets, working with fund managers who can add value and have a positive development impact on the economies where they invest. In addition, IFC sponsored the creation of EMPEA (the Emerging Markets Private Equity Association), and holds every year a Global Private Equity Conference, which is now the premier event for investors in the sector.

Learn more about IFC's unique role in the private equity sector...