Optasia gears up for JSE listing and R6.3 billion capital raise for further expansion

Optasia, a leading fintech in emerging markets, has set its sights on a primary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) while announcing a substantial R6.3 billion capital raise through a share offer.

The Dubai-based fintech, founded in 2012 by Nigerian-Lebanese entrepreneur Bassim Haidar, aims to enhance its liquidity, introduce new shareholders, and bolster its market profile with this initiative.

In an announcement made on Wednesday, Optasia outlined that the primary goal behind this capital raise and subsequent listing is to facilitate both organic and acquisitive growth.

"Today marks an important milestone for Optasia as we take a crucial step towards becoming a publicly listed company. From a single-country operation to one of the world's largest fintechs of its kind, we've built a profitable, capital-light business that continues with the purpose to scale,” stated Optasia CEO Salvador Anglada, highlighting the company's impressive growth trajectory.

With a network that spans 38 countries and boasts over 121 monthly active users, Optasia is not just about numbers; it’s about transformation. The fintech processes 32 million loan transactions each day, empowering more than 860 million mobile subscribers via its extensive distribution partners and financial institutions network.

Its AI-enabled business model provides micro-financing solutions and airtime credit offerings, effectively increasing financial accessibility in diverse markets.

As a testament to its rapid expansion, Optasia reported revenues of $117.2 million (approximately R2.01bn) in the first half of the 2025 financial year, significantly exceeding the total revenue of $151.2m for the entire 2024 year.

Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) for the same period reached $53.8m, compared to $75.1m for the previous year, showcasing the company’s sustained growth momentum.

The planned share issuance includes a primary offering of R1.3bn (equivalent to $75m) alongside a secondary share sale from existing shareholders projected at R5bn (around $300m) through a private placement. Optasia intends to list all its shares within the Prime Segment of the JSE's Main Board, marking a significant chapter in its growth journey.

"For more than a decade, we have been dedicated to enabling financial inclusion across emerging markets, leveraging our AI-powered platform to provide vital access to credit and financial services for millions of underserved customers,” Anglada added, asserting that the IPO will accelerate the company's growth trajectory and enhance its visibility as a premier global fintech player.

Optasia's commitment to driving financial empowerment is not just theoretical; it is founded on actionable strategies that utilises real-time data to foster an inclusive financial environment. By partnering with a diverse range of distribution allies – including Mobile Network Operators and financial institutions – the fintech strives to enhance financial access for underbanked populations across its extensive network.

As of June 30, 2025, Optasia operates through 49 distribution partners and 13 financial institutions, facilitating daily loan transactions worth over $13 million. The company's revenues and adjusted EBITDA have displayed commendable compound annual growth of 10.4% and 13.1% respectively from 2022 to 2024, a robust indication of its ability to maintain positive cash flow since inception, without the need for primary capital raises.

It operates across 21 countries in Africa, 8 countries in Asia, 6 countries in the Middle East and 3 countries in Europe. Optasia's 49 distribution partners including MTN, Airtel, Vodacom, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison. Prospective investors who intend to participate in the offering should anticipate receiving dividends for the first time in the year ending December 31, 2027.

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