Information Security Analyst - Fintech
About the job
- A university degree in Computer Science or a related field is required.
- At least two years of experience in the information security industry is required.
- Understanding of ISO/IEC 27001 requirements and their practical implementation is required.
- Knowledge of information security tools and methods, including port scanners, vulnerability assessment scanners, Security Information and Event Management tools, Privileged Access Management, and Data Loss Prevention, is required.
- Experience with Microsoft security platforms, including Microsoft Defender and Microsoft Intune, is required.
- Knowledge of network security concepts, including network segregation, demilitarized zones, private virtual local area networks, and Internet Protocol Security, is required.
- Knowledge of the internet threat landscape, including phishing, ransomware, and advanced persistent threats, is required.
- Experience working in both Microsoft Windows and Linux environments is required.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are required.
- Assist with technical projects by proposing and deploying appropriate security controls and solutions.
- Audit systems and infrastructures to ensure security controls are correctly applied.
- Analyze security alerts and respond to security incidents.
- Support the vulnerability management program by analyzing vulnerability assessment and penetration testing results and defining mitigation actions.
- Participate in customer-initiated audits.
- Build and monitor security awareness training campaigns.
- Manage the deployed security platforms.
- Experience with code review tools, including SonarQube and Dependency Check.
- Experience auditing Microsoft Windows architectures, including Active Directory Group Policy and users/roles.
- Experience using Python and Microsoft PowerShell for automation.
About the company
Optasia provides AI-driven fintech tools for intelligent credit decisions designed for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), mobile wallet operators, and financial institutions. It uses a fully automated decisioning algorithm to evaluate data and generate millions of financing decisions in real time. The company operates on a B2B2X model, delivering real-time credit scoring, omnichannel delivery, and personalized marketing to partners who then serve end customers. Its solutions aim to enable scalable growth and broader financial inclusion for retail SME customers across multiple markets.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Founded
2012
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- FirstRand raised its stake to 26.1% on March 25, 2026, validating Optasia.
- Optasia closed a $330 million refinancing on April 8, 2026, extending expansion firepower.
- Management targets Ethiopia and Egypt after $6 billion credit volume last year, broadening growth.
What critics are saying
- Nigeria's FCCPC challenged airtime lending in April 2026; injunction expires after July 20 hearing.
- Bassim Haidar sold 6% to FirstRand in March 2026, signaling founder conviction weakened.
- If Egypt or Ethiopia regulators restrict telecom-linked lending, Optasia's core platform face shutdown risk.
What makes Optasia unique
- Optasia scores borrowers with mobile data across 38 markets and 860 million subscribers.
- Its 2026 default rate stayed at 1.2%, far below sub-Saharan unsecured lenders.
- B2B2X distribution through MTN, Vodacom, and FirstRand avoids costly branch buildouts.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Training Programs
Company Social Events
Flexible Work Hours
Paid Vacation
Wellness Program
Performance Bonus
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
0%1 year growth
0%2 year growth
-1%An AI-driven lending platform is expanding into Ethiopia and Egypt, betting its machine-learning algorithms can maintain low default rates in credit-starved markets. Optasia, which uses AI and mobile data to provide microloans to unbanked consumers and small businesses, facilitated about $6 billion in credit across 38 markets last year. The firm posts a group-wide default rate of 1.2%, significantly lower than traditional banks in sub-Saharan Africa, which routinely write off 10% to 15% of unsecured loans as bad debts. CEO Salvador Anglada told Semafor the company expects this rate to hold steady despite scaling into high-density economies with a combined population exceeding 200 million. Banking credit to the private sector stands at under 10% of GDP in Ethiopia and 30% in Egypt, leaving vast underserved markets.
Through this syndication, Standard Bank worked with Optasia to enhance funding certainty, expand capacity and provide long‑term flexibility.
Optasia has closed a $330 million syndicated financing facility to refinance existing debt and support expansion. The three-year facility comprises a $180 million term facility and a $150 million working capital facility, representing a $105 million increase over the previous arrangement. Rand Merchant Bank South Africa and Standard Bank of South Africa served as lead arrangers and underwriters, with RMB, Standard Bank, Nedbank and Absa Bank participating in the syndicate. The Dubai-founded fintech company, established in 2012, has access to over 860 million mobile subscribers through partnerships with mobile network operators and financial institutions. FirstRand holds a 26.1% stake in Optasia following investments last year. The company recently acquired Finergi, a prepaid electricity credit platform, for $30 million.
FirstRand Limited has increased its stake in Optasia, an AI-powered financial infrastructure platform for underbanked customers in emerging markets, from 20.1% to 26.1%. The South African financial services group acquired an additional 6% stake for R1.4 billion, purchasing 74,103,711 ordinary shares at ZAR20.00 per share on 25 March 2026. The shares were acquired from an entity owned by Bassim Haidar, Optasia's founder and non-executive director, who now holds a 1.5% indirect shareholding whilst remaining on the board. This follows FirstRand's initial strategic investment in October 2025 ahead of Optasia's IPO. Optasia operates across 38 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, using AI to pre-score customers, process micro-loans at scale and leverage mobile data sales for credit collection.
FirstRand has acquired a 20% stake in Optasia, a Dubai-based fintech company set to list on the JSE. The investment allows the South African bank, which owns FNB and RMB, to expand its digital banking capabilities in underbanked markets. Optasia provides fintech services across 38 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, partnering with companies including MTN, Vodacom and Standard Bank. The platform uses mobile data for credit scoring and micro-loan processing, reaching approximately 120 million of a potential 860 million underserved mobile network users. Management forecasts 50% revenue growth for FY25 and 25% for FY26. Optasia trades at a forward P/E ratio of 17, which analysts consider attractive given its growth trajectory and expansion opportunities in underbanked populations across Asia and Africa.