In a strategic move, LLH Capital, the investment vehicle of veteran leaders Romeo Kumalo and Gil Oved, has significantly sold down its stake in AI fintech Optasia during its unicorn-status IPO on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
The near-$1.3 billion listing, the largest in Africa this year, provides LLH Capital with a massive capital infusion to accelerate its high-impact investment strategy across the continent.
This strategic exit from Optasia, a company providing financial inclusion in emerging markets, emphasises a proven track record of successful exits for the duo, following ventures like Smart Call, Ozow, and Bottles.
With capital now unlocked and fresh investor backing, LLH Capital is poised to dramatically scale its footprint, targeting high-potential, founder-led businesses in the rapidly transforming financial services and telecommunications sectors.
“Our model is largely built on active investment,” said Kumalo, co-founder of LLH Capital. “
We don’t just deploy capital. We create exceptional returns by working to grow the businesses we invest in, enabling value creation by bringing operational and strategic support to help businesses scale. This approach delivers superior risk-adjusted returns while driving inclusive growth across the continent.”
Khumalo and Oved see a powerful convergence of finance and telecom as a key opportunity, driven by AI and a youthful demographic.
They emphasize that scaling these ventures requires more than just funding.
“Challenger businesses, like Optasia, are solving real problems in emerging and frontier markets,” said Oved, co-founder of LLH Capital.
“Businesses ready for investment need capital, yes, but they also need strategic leadership, structure, and access to networks. That’s where we come in. We identify scalable models, support their growth, and position them for acquisition or partnership.”
Leveraging their deep corporate and entrepreneurial experience, Kumalo and Oved’s disciplined approach continues to target superior risk-adjusted returns, positioning LLH Capital as a pivotal force in Africa’s next chapter of tech-driven growth.
