Fintech company Optasia, partly owned by Ethos Capital, has announced plans to list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) as it seeks to raise up to 6.3 billion rand ($375 million) through a combination of new and existing shares. The company said it would generate about 1.3 billion rand from a public offering and an additional 5 billion rand through a private placement involving existing shareholders.
According to CEO Salvador Anglada, the initial public offering (IPO) marks a major milestone in Optasia’s growth strategy. “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. The company views the listing as a way to strengthen its capital base and fuel expansion in new and existing markets.
Headquartered in Dubai, Optasia operates AI-powered financial services across 38 countries, focusing on micro-financing and mobile phone airtime credit for individuals without traditional bank accounts. The firm said it currently serves around 121 million monthly active users and processes more than 32 million loan transactions daily, positioning it as one of the most active fintech platforms in emerging markets.
Founded in 2012, Optasia’s operations are concentrated across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, working closely with major telecom partners such as MTN, Vodacom, and Airtel. By leveraging these partnerships, the company has built a robust distribution network that enables it to reach underserved populations, bridging the financial inclusion gap through mobile technology and artificial intelligence.