Optasia Group Targets Global Expansion After $1.4 Billion Johannesburg Debut

November 4, 2025 • FinTech News
Optasia Group Targets Global Expansion After $1.4 Billion Johannesburg Debut

AI-powered fintech firm Optasia Group has made a strong debut on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, valued at $1.4 billion, as it plans to expand across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The company aims to accelerate growth through BNPL offerings, virtual credit, and strategic acquisitions in emerging markets.

AI-driven fintech firm Optasia Group has announced plans to expand its footprint across Africa, Asia, and Latin America following a successful listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), which valued the company at approximately $1.4 billion.

The Dubai-headquartered fintech is also broadening its financial product suite, introducing buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) options and virtual credit offerings. According to CEO Salvador Anglada, Optasia is eyeing potential acquisitions in Asia and Latin America to strengthen its presence in emerging markets.

“If we find the right company that helps us accelerate growth, we will consider it,” Anglada stated. “We’re going to continue growing in Africa. We also see Asia as our next destination.”

The company’s JSE listing represents one of South Africa’s biggest IPOs of 2025, signaling renewed investor interest in fintech innovation. Morgan Stanley and Standard Bank Group Ltd. served as lead advisors, while Investec acted as the bookrunner for the offering.

Optasia’s shares were priced at 19 rand apiece, with 1.24 billion shares issued, resulting in a total market capitalization of 23.5 billion rand ($1.4 billion). Notably, FirstRand Ltd., one of South Africa’s leading lenders, has acquired a 20.1% stake in the fintech firm.

The listing is also viewed as a positive signal for South Africa’s financial markets, which have historically been dominated by traditional sectors such as mining and banking. Experts believe that Optasia’s debut could encourage more fintech and AI-powered firms to pursue public listings on the JSE.

“A successful Optasia debut would be a welcome signal for South Africa’s listings pipeline, demonstrating that the JSE remains a credible platform for large, innovative, Africa-centric growth companies,” said Fatima Vawda, CEO of 27four Investment Managers. “It could help re-energize market sentiment and showcase the exchange’s relevance beyond traditional sectors.”

Founded in 2012, Optasia operates in 38 countries, primarily across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Leveraging artificial intelligence and over 5,000 data points, the firm provides credit scoring and microfinance solutions for underbanked populations, partnering with major telecom operators such as MTN Group Ltd. and Vodacom Group Ltd.

Through its AI-powered financial platform, Optasia enables real-time credit assessments, microloans, and cash advances to millions of users with limited access to traditional banking. The firm’s technology helps bridge financial inclusion gaps by analyzing behavioral, transactional, and telecom data to assess borrower reliability.

Looking ahead, Optasia plans to strengthen strategic partnerships with mobile network operators and financial institutions, enabling it to scale its offerings to new regions.

“We’ll continue forming agreements with distribution partners and financial institutions, and we’re open to opportunities that accelerate our growth, especially in regions where we’re not yet well established,” Anglada added.

With its strong IPO debut, AI-driven approach, and ambitious expansion roadmap, Optasia Group is positioning itself as a key player in global fintech innovation — one that merges technology, credit access, and inclusion across emerging economies.