Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI) is for the first time inviting third-parties to back its infrastructure strategy with the launch of a €500m European fund.

The manager said Allianz European Infrastructure Fund (AIEF) will allow institutional investors to access the “deep infrastructure investment experience” of Allianz Capital Partners (ACP). 

ACP has been investing in infrastructure equity on behalf of Allianz insurance companies for more than a decade.

AEIF will raise capital from institutional investors and pension funds. Future transactions will be funded by Allianz insurance companies who will continue to invest at least 50% of the required capital while the remaining share will be funded by the AEIF, the manager said.

Tobias Pross, global head of distribution at AllianzGI, said: “We are delighted that external clients can now access ACP’s deep Infrastructure expertise, further broadening the suite of alternative investment solutions we can provide for clients.

“We continue to see strong demand for alternative investments from our clients, who look to us to introduce innovative solutions that meet their needs.”