In the dynamic world of fintech, where innovation and rapid expansion are key, OPay has consistently made headlines across Africa and beyond. As a leading mobile money and payment platform, its growth trajectory has been a subject of keen interest for investors, industry analysts, and everyday users alike. A pivotal year in this journey was 2021, a period that saw significant investment propel the company further into the spotlight. But exactly how much capital did OPay secure in 2021, and what did this mean for its burgeoning operations?
This post dives into the specifics of OPay’s funding landscape during that impactful year. We’ll explore the reported figures, the key players who backed the company, and the strategic implications of these investments on OPay’s continued evolution in the competitive financial technology sector. Join us as we uncover the financial muscle that fueled OPay’s ambitions in 2021 and set the stage for its subsequent expansion.
How Much Was Opay Funded in 2021
For OPay, 2021 was defined by a monumental funding achievement: a $400 million Series C funding round. This significant capital injection, announced in August 2021, marked a major milestone for the Africa-focused fintech company. At the time, this round elevated OPay’s valuation to $2 billion, solidifying its status as a unicorn – a privately held startup company valued at over $1 billion.
This funding round was a clear signal of strong investor confidence in OPay’s business model and its potential for widespread impact across emerging markets. It was also, notably, the largest single funding round secured by a Nigerian-founded startup at that point, highlighting the growing attractiveness of the African fintech space to global investors.
Conclusion
In a rapidly evolving digital economy, OPay’s 2021 funding story serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of fintech in emerging markets. It highlighted the increasing global appetite for innovative solutions that address financial inclusion gaps and streamline transactions for millions.
As OPay continues its journey, the strategic investments secured in 2021 will undoubtedly remain a cornerstone of its continued influence and evolution within the global financial technology sector.
FAQs
1.How much is OPay worth?
Most recently, in April 2025, regulatory filings from Opera Limited, an early minority investor in OPay, revealed that OPay’s valuation had climbed to $2.75 billion. This represents a notable increase from its $2 billion valuation in August 2021, when it secured its landmark $400 million Series C funding round.
2. Who invested in OPay?
- SoftBank Vision Fund 2: This prominent venture capital fund led OPay’s $400 million Series C round in 2021, demonstrating a strong belief in OPay’s potential in emerging markets.
- Sequoia Capital China (now known as HongShan): A global venture capital firm with significant investments in technology companies.
- Redpoint China Ventures: Another notable venture capital firm.
- Source Code Capital: An investment firm that has participated in OPay’s funding rounds.
- SoftBank Ventures Asia: An affiliate of SoftBank.
- 3W Capital: An investment firm.
- Long-Z Investments: An early investor in OPay.
- IDG Capital: Another early backer.
- Opera Limited: The Norwegian-based software company, which incubated OPay, remains a minority shareholder, holding a 9.4% stake as of December 2024.
These investors represent a mix of global venture capital giants and strategic players, all recognizing OPay’s potential to disrupt and lead in the digital finance space in Africa.
3. Who is the real owner of OPay?
While OPay has numerous investors, the ultimate beneficial ownership can be traced primarily to Zhou Yahui, a Chinese billionaire. OPay was incubated by Opera, the web browser company, which is in turn primarily owned by Kunlun Tech Co., Ltd., a Chinese public company controlled by Zhou Yahui.
4. Does Apple have the same stakeholders with OPay?
No, Apple Inc. and OPay generally do not have the same major direct stakeholders or investors.
5. Does bytedance(tiktok) have the same stakeholders with opay?
While there can be some overlap among very large, diversified global investors, ByteDance (parent company of TikTok) and OPay generally do not share the same primary direct stakeholders.
While SoftBank and Sequoia are names that appear in the investor lists of both companies, it’s often through different, specialized funds (e.g., SoftBank Vision Fund 2 for OPay vs. broader SoftBank Group for ByteDance; Sequoia Capital China for OPay vs. the global Sequoia entity for ByteDance).
These large investment groups have vast portfolios, but the specific funds and the strategic reasons for their investments in ByteDance (global internet giant) versus OPay (Africa-focused fintech) are distinct. Therefore, a direct, significant commonality in their major direct stakeholders is unlikely.
Mathew
