Dubai-based fintech company Optasia has announced its intention to list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), marking a significant milestone in its mission to expand financial inclusion through artificial intelligence. The initial public offering (IPO), expected to raise approximately 6.3 billion rand ($365 million), positions Optasia among the largest fintech listings in South Africa in recent years. The move underscores investor enthusiasm for AI-driven financial technology amid renewed confidence in emerging market exchanges.
IPO Structure and Advisors
According to regulatory filings, Optasia plans to issue 1.3 billion rand in new shares while its founders will offer an additional 5 billion rand through a private placement. The company has appointed Morgan Stanley and Standard Bank Group as joint advisors, with Investec serving as bookrunner for the transaction. The IPO roadshow is set to begin in the coming weeks, during which Optasia will meet with institutional investors to determine final pricing, potentially valuing the company above $1 billion.
Strategic Growth and Market Expansion
Optasia’s CEO, Salvador Anglada, stated that the IPO will fuel the company’s next phase of global expansion and diversification. “The idea is to fuel our growth; we are also looking at geographical diversification outside of Africa, and in Asia and potentially Latin America,” Anglada said. While Optasia already operates extensively across Africa, South Africa remains a strategic focus, accounting for roughly 10% to 15% of its business.
Optasia’s Business Model and Reach
Founded in 2012 by Nigerian-born Lebanese entrepreneur Bassim Haidar, Optasia leverages AI and over 5,000 data points to assess creditworthiness, enabling access to microloans and cash advances for underbanked individuals. The company partners with major telecom and banking players, including MTN Group, Vodacom, Standard Bank, and Ecobank, to deliver services across 38 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Its platform processes around 32 million instant credit decisions daily, reaching 121 million active users and facilitating more than $20 billion in small loans to date.
Market Context and Investor Interest
Optasia’s decision to list on the JSE coincides with a strong year for the South African equity market. The FTSE/JSE Africa All Share Index has surged by about 30% in 2025, recently hitting record highs as global investors seek exposure to AI and emerging market innovation. Last year’s 8 billion rand IPO by Boxer Retail Ltd. set the tone for renewed investor appetite, and Optasia’s planned offering could become the largest fintech IPO in South Africa in the past twelve months.
The Broader Fintech Landscape
Globally, fintechs like Optasia are racing to close the financial inclusion gap for the 1.3 billion unbanked adults, particularly in Africa and Asia. With growing demand for instant digital credit and alternative data scoring, AI-based models are becoming essential to serving underserved populations. Optasia’s technology-driven approach positions it at the forefront of this transformation, offering scalable, low-cost solutions for both consumers and partners.
Leadership Vision and Outlook
For Anglada and founder Haidar, the listing represents more than a capital-raising event—it is a gateway to global growth. Anglada emphasized that Johannesburg offers the right mix of liquidity, governance, and investor access for a company with Optasia’s ambitions. “Johannesburg is one of the leading exchanges in terms of emerging markets, with the right liquidity, governance and connectivity,” he said. The company plans to use the IPO proceeds to pursue acquisitions, strengthen partnerships, and expand into new high-growth markets.
Optasia’s upcoming IPO on the JSE reflects both its maturity as a global fintech player and its commitment to expanding AI-powered financial access across continents. With strong institutional backing and a proven track record in delivering microcredit at scale, the company is poised to capitalize on growing investor demand for technology-enabled inclusion. As Optasia steps into the public market, its listing could further cement Johannesburg’s role as a gateway for emerging market innovation and fintech investment.
Source: Bloomberg