Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. is indirectly expanding its presence in Latin America after Ant Group, in which Alibaba holds a 33% stake, announced a strategic investment in R2, a lending infrastructure firm. The partnership aims to improve credit access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the region. Financial terms of the investment were not disclosed. This move leverages Ant Group's financial technology expertise to tap into the emerging market of SME lending in Latin America. While the direct financial impact on Alibaba is not immediately clear, it represents a strategic push into a new geography through its key affiliate, aligning with broader goals of global expansion. No significant market reaction was noted in the initial reports.