| Lesaka Technologies | |
| Trade Name: | NASDAQ: (formerly UEPS and NT1) |
| Type: | Public |
| Founder: | Serge Belamant |
| Hq Location City: | Johannesburg |
| Hq Location Country: | South Africa |
| Key People: | Ali Mazanderani, Executive Chairman[1] |
| Profit: | --> |
| Profit Year: | --> |
Lesaka Technologies (formerly Net 1 UEPS Technologies) is a South-African financial technology company that is listed on the NASDAQ (Nasdaq: LSAK) and Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE: LSK).[2] [3] Lesaka’s primary focus is on financial inclusion, offering financial services to previously underserved communities and merchants.[4]
The company has managed Botswana and South Africa's social grant payment system up to 2018.[5] [6] The company is headquartered in Johannesburg.[7]
It was founded by Serge Belamant who also developed its basic technology. He left the company in 2017 under a "separation agreement" filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for $8 million.[8] Herman Kotze, the company's chief financial officer, became its CEO after Belamant's departure.[9] The company became known for products such as EasyPay and Cash Paymaster Services (CPS).
In 2020, Value Capital Partners invested R580 million into the company and began a process of redefining the strategy, appointing a new board and management team, and strengthening the company’s corporate governance.[10] [11]
In 2021, the company appointed Chris Meyers as its new CEO.[12]
In 2022, Net1 rebranded as Lesaka Technologies, which coincided with the R3.7 billion acquisition of the Connect Group.[13]
Meyer stepped down as Lesaka’s CEO in 2023.[14] Upon his departure from the company, Ali Mazanderani was appointed as executive chairman and former chairman Kuben Pillay became lead independent director.
In 2010, the company announced that it would acquire KSNet, a Korean payment processor, for $233 million.[15] Net1 expanded into the United Kingdom with the acquisition of Zazoo in 2015.[16] It reached an agreement with MobiKwik, a mobile phone based payment system and digital wallet based in India, in 2016.[17]
Net1 sold KSNet to Stonebridge Capital and Payletter for $237 million in March 2020.[18] In September 2020, Cash Paymaster Services (CPS), a subsidiary of Net1, went into liquidation. It had been in a previous legal dispute over deductions from grant payments for micro loans‚ airtime and other financial services.[19] [20]
In March 2022 Net1's R3.7 billion 100% acquisition of the Connect Group was approved by the South African Competition authorities.[21] The transaction was first announced in November last year, when Net1 signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the Connect Group.[22]
In February 2024 Lesaka announced it was acquiring Touchsides, a platform-as-a-service and software-as-a-service solutions provider to licensed tavern outlets.[23]
In May 2024, Lesaka Technologies acquired Adumo, a payment platform headquartered in Cape Town, for $85 million.[24]