Optasia, a global leader in AI-powered fintech, has officially commenced trading on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in a landmark listing that underscores its mission to drive financial inclusion in emerging economies.
The Initial Public Offering (IPO) was a resounding success, priced at the top of its range at R19 per share. The offering was several times oversubscribed by both South African and international institutional investors, raising R6.5 billion ($375 million). This implies a market capitalisation of R23.5 billion based on the 1,235,061,843 ordinary shares in issue.
Optasia now trades on the JSE’s Main Board under the share code OPA.
“Today marks a defining moment for Optasia,” said Salvador Anglada, CEO of Optasia. “This IPO is not just a financial milestone — it’s a celebration of belief. Belief in our purpose, our people, and our potential. The overwhelming interest from both South African and international investors is a strong vote of confidence in what we’ve built and in the opportunities that lie ahead.”
In a significant show of support ahead of the public listing, FirstRand , a South African financial institution, acquired a strategic 20.1% stake in Optasia through an off-market transaction. This investment signals long-term confidence in the company’s business model and future growth.
From its origins in 2012 as a single-country airtime credit provider, Optasia has evolved into one of the world’s largest AI-powered fintech platforms.
Its proprietary B2B2X platform now serves more than 120 million active users monthly across 38 countries, processing over 31 million transactions every day. The platform empowers mobile operators and financial institutions to extend responsible credit and liquidity to underserved consumers using real-time data and advanced AI-driven assessments.
“Joining the JSE gives us a stronger platform to grow, innovate, and scale our impact,” Anglada added. “From a street vendor expanding her business with a micro-loan to a young entrepreneur staying connected through mobile credit — Optasia exists to open doors of opportunity where they’re needed most. This listing marks the start of an exciting new chapter of growth and impact.”
With 1.7 billion adults globally still unbanked and mobile connectivity on the rise, Optasia’s JSE debut positions it to lead the next wave of inclusive finance, leveraging AI and strategic partnerships to unlock economic potential on a global scale.
It’s not often a columnist gets to say, “I told you so”, while watching predictions unfold with such compelling force. Back in February 2022, I argued in this very space that fintech was becoming the new airtime, the lifeblood for telecom giants like MTN and Vodacom.
I suggested then that it would be a prudent move for them to acquire emerging fintech platforms.
One name stood out: Channel VAS. Well, fast forward to today, and the company, now rebranded as Optasia, is not waiting to be bought. It is marching directly onto the JSE with a landmark initial public offering (IPO).
And if you’re an investor with an eye for the future, you need to understand why this isn’t just another listing.
This is a signal that Africa’s digital finance revolution is transitioning from its early, scrappy start-up phase to a period of mature, high-tech dominance.
The simple, great idea behind Optasia is one that solves a fundamental market failure.
