Optasia reports 58% first-half revenue growth amid projected slowdown

Optasia, a JSE-listed financial technology group, reported a 58.1% increase in revenue for the first half of 2026, reaching $185.3 million compared to $117.2 million in the previous period. Profit for the period rose 58.3% to $36.9 million, while adjusted EBITDA increased 44.8% to $77.9 million.

Despite the strong start, the company’s full-year targets suggest a significant slowdown in the second half of the year. Optasia is targeting 30% to 40% growth for full-year revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and normalized net income. Based on these targets, second-half revenue is projected to fall between $159.7 million and $186.2 million, which would represent a sequential decline or stagnation compared to the first half.

The company attributed the expected slowdown to several factors, including the suspension of airtime-credit services in Nigeria in April following new consumer-lending regulations. While partners resumed operations in Nigeria by late June under a multi-provider system, Nigeria’s contribution to group revenue dropped from approximately 14% in 2025 to less than 4% in the second quarter. Additionally, management changes regarding overdraft services in Uganda, Ghana, and Cameroon are expected to reduce reported revenue more than profit due to lower margins on those services.