OPay has hired Citigroup, Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan Chase to lead its planned U.S. initial public offering, targeting a valuation of about $4 billion, in a move that could rank among the largest African fintech listings. The mandate, reported by Bloomberg and cited by Investing.com, signals the company’s intent to tap global capital markets as it scales operations.
The Nigeria-focused payments platform, backed by SoftBank, is expected to pursue the listing later in 2026, although timelines remain subject to market conditions. The appointment of three major Wall Street banks underscores the size and ambition of the offering, as well as growing investor appetite for high-growth fintech firms.
OPay has built a strong presence across Nigeria and other emerging markets, offering mobile payments, transfers, and agent banking services to millions of users. Its rapid growth, driven by financial inclusion and digital adoption, has positioned it among Africa’s leading fintech players, with transaction volumes and user activity continuing to expand.
Analysts say a successful IPO could set a new benchmark for African tech listings, particularly at a time when global investors are increasingly looking toward emerging markets for growth opportunities. The deal also highlights a broader trend of African fintech firms maturing toward public market exits as the sector enters a new phase of scale and consolidation.
