South African financial group FirstRand has announced the acquisition of a 20.1% stake in Optasia, a United Arab Emirates-based digital finance platform, in a transaction valued at R4.7 billion, equivalent to about $277 million. Announced on 27 October 2025, the purchase of existing shareholders' shares at R19 each was agreed ahead of Optasia's planned listing on the JSE.
Optasia operates as an AI-driven platform providing micro-lending and other financial services.
DEAL RATIONALE
FirstRand's management has indicated the deal will strengthen the group's digital financial services capability across Africa. Optasia's platform is built around digital loan origination and disbursement.
Completion is subject to regulatory and other conditions precedent.