New Delhi, India, October 8- Dubai-based fintech company Optasia is preparing to make a significant move on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), with plans to raise up to $375 million through a combination of an initial public offering (IPO) and a private share placement.
The listing marks a bold step forward for the artificial intelligence-driven financial services provider, which has built a strong presence in emerging markets across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The planned capital raise includes 1.3 billion rand from the IPO and at least 5 billion rand from existing shareholders via private placement, amounting to approximately 6.3 billion rand ($375 million at current exchange rates).
For Salvador Anglada, CEO of Optasia, this move is more than just a financial milestone, it’s a strategic pivot aimed at unlocking new growth opportunities and boosting the company’s global visibility.
“An IPO will allow us to accelerate our growth, raise our visibility as a leading global fintech and continue innovating to expand financial opportunity where it is needed most,” Anglada said in a recent statement.
Founded in 2012, Optasia (formerly Channel VAS) has carved out a niche in providing micro-financing and mobile phone airtime credit to underserved populations. These are individuals who often fall outside the traditional banking system due to a lack of formal credit history or documentation. Using mobile platforms and AI technology, Optasia delivers small, short-term loans directly to users’ phones, often within minutes.
The company’s model is built around financial inclusion. By leveraging mobile technology and artificial intelligence, Optasia is making credit more accessible in regions where conventional banks are either limited or non-existent. The approach has proven highly effective: the firm now serves around 121 million monthly active users and processes more than 32 million loan transactions per day.
In South Africa, Optasia’s connections run deep. The company is partly owned by Ethos Capital, a South African investment group, and maintains strong partnerships with top telecom providers like MTN, Vodacom, and Airtel. These alliances give Optasia powerful distribution channels, allowing it to reach customers through their mobile network providers with minimal friction.
The decision to list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange is being viewed as a vote of confidence in South Africa’s capital markets. The JSE, one of the largest and most established exchanges on the continent, offers a platform for growth-focused companies to access capital while expanding their investor base.
For investors, particularly those with an eye on high-growth, tech-enabled sectors in emerging markets, Optasia’s upcoming listing presents an attractive proposition. The company combines a robust user base with cutting-edge technology and a mission-driven approach that aligns well with the rising demand for socially impactful investments.
A key differentiator for Optasia is its use of artificial intelligence in credit assessment and risk management. Traditional banks often struggle to serve low-income or undocumented individuals, but Optasia’s AI algorithms analyze user behavior, transaction history, and other non-traditional data points to determine creditworthiness quickly and accurately.
This tech-driven efficiency allows Optasia to operate at scale across 38 countries, all while keeping default rates manageable and customer experience seamless. It also positions the company well as digital financial services continue to gain momentum globally.
Market analysts believe the listing could serve as a blueprint for other fintech firms looking to raise capital in Africa. Optasia’s success in integrating telecom, AI, and finance to support financial inclusion showcases the kind of innovation that is not only commercially viable but also socially meaningful.
With the IPO and private placement expected to wrap up in the coming months, Optasia is setting the stage for a new era of expansion. The funds raised are expected to support further market entry, technology investment, and product development, particularly in areas where access to finance remains a persistent challenge.
As global fintech continues to evolve, Optasia’s move to the JSE stands out as a strong signal: African markets are not just ripe for innovation, they’re ready to lead it.
