Johannesburg, 04 November 2025:  Optasia is a global leader in AI-powered financial technology that unlocks unprecedented opportunities in digital finance. Through its growth, the company has evolved into a unified fintech platform enabling financial inclusion in emerging markets. The name Optasia, derived from the Greek word for “vision,” reflects the company’s forward-looking approach and commitment to innovative, data-driven financial solutions. 

Optasia CEO Salvador Anglada said: “At Optasia, we have a deep commitment to delivering real time financial access to millions of underserved individuals in the emerging markets. We are honoured to be listing on the JSE and are excited about the potential of the company to grow even further in the long term. Today is not just about an IPO – it is the continuation of a journey that began in 2012 as an idea premised on inclusion and value creation which we will undertake together with our investors.” 

Led by an experienced management team, Optasia’s post-IPO ownership structure reflects strong investor confidence, with key stakeholders including FirstRand, Chronos Capital, TRG and a further diverse group of local and international institutional investors. At the final Offer price of R19.00 per share, this JSE listing commences with an implied landmark market capitalisation of R23.5 billion. In this next phase, Optasia is committed to empowering the next billion customers, fostering economic participation and supporting small business growth.

In a show of confidence, FirstRand has acquired a 20.1% stake in Optasia through an off-market transaction. The strategic investment will support Optasia’s growth ambitions through the long-term commitment of a respected financial institution thus supporting deeper market penetration and product innovation across emerging economies.

Additionally, Optasia’s strategic partnerships with leading mobile network operators such as Vodacom and MTN have played a key role in expanding its footprint across emerging markets. Through these collaborations, Optasia delivers real-time micro-financing and airtime credit services to millions of users each month, reinforcing its mission to promote financial inclusion through scalable digital solutions.

“The JSE is delighted to welcome Optasia, a global fintech leader, to our Main Board. Optasia’s IPO on the JSE marks a significant milestone and reflects a signal of progress and affirmation of confidence in South Africa’s capital markets. The listing reinforces the JSE’s role as a trusted capital raising platform for companies with global ambition and local impact, and supports Africa’s potential to scale fintech solutions across emerging economies.  Optasia’s pioneering approach to digital finance and their commitment to facilitating underserved markets embodies the bold, transformative growth the JSE champions,” said Leila Fourie, Group CEO of the JSE.

Valdene Reddy, Director of Capital Markets at the JSE said, “We are thrilled to welcome Optasia to the JSE. Their commitment to financial inclusion and innovation aligns with our mission to support companies driving meaningful change across the continent and beyond. Optasia’s listing reflects the JSE’s appeal as a destination for high-quality international businesses, offering access to deep and liquid pools of capital, robust regulatory standards and a diverse investor base. We remain committed to broadening investment opportunities and fostering a dynamic marketplace that supports sustainable growth.”

Dubai-based Optasia leverages proprietary AI technology to empower mobile operators, financial institutions and digital service providers, extending credit and financial access to underserved populations. The company processes over 30 million loan transactions daily for over 120 million users. Its B2B2X model works through mobile wallet operators, payment gateways, and banks, using advanced AI-led risk management and affordability assessments. This enables streamlined, low-value, high-volume lending that is cost-effective and impactful for individuals and small businesses traditionally excluded from formal finance.

The platform supports end-to-end financial decisioning, disbursement, and collection for retail and SME customers. Operating in multiple emerging economies, Optasia is poised to accelerate digital transformation and economic empowerment through mobile-first financial ecosystems. 

Optasia will be listed under the share code OPA, marking a milestone in its journey to scale impact and unlock financial opportunity for millions worldwide.

Today’s listing brings the total number of companies listed on the JSE to 275, and an overall market capitalisation of R23.44 trillion.

ENDS

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The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) has a well-established history of operating as a marketplace for trading financial products. It is a pioneering, globally connected exchange group that enables inclusive economic growth through trusted, world-class, socially responsible products, and services for the investor of the future. It offers secure and efficient primary and secondary capital markets across a diverse range of securities, spanning equities, derivatives, and debt markets. It prides itself on being the market of choice for local and international investors looking to gain exposure to leading capital markets on the African continent.

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