Turkish Fintech Unicorn Papara Acquires Pakistan-based EMI SadaPay
In a significant move to expand its footprint in South Asia, Turkish fintech unicorn Papara has successfully acquired Pakistan-based Electronic Money Institution (EMI) SadaPay. The acquisition, involving a 100% purchase of SadaPay, marks one of the most notable fintech investments in Pakistan in recent years.
Founded by Brandon Timinsky in 2019, SadaPay swiftly emerged as one of the fastest-growing EMIs globally, reaching one million users in record time. Today, SadaPay processes an annual payment volume of $1.5 billion, offering a range of features including P2P money transfers, debit cards, and payment products. Notably, SadaPay was the first institution to introduce a numberless debit card in the Middle East and Asia (MEA) region in collaboration with Mastercard, solidifying its role as a pioneer in Pakistan’s financial transformation. Since its inception, SadaPay has raised $20 million in equity funding, with its most recent funding rounds led by Recharge Capital and Kingsway Capital.
Commenting on the acquisition, Papara CEO Emre Kenci stated, “This acquisition marks one of the most significant fintech investments in the country in recent years. We aim to position SadaPay as the leading fintech player in the region by bolstering its innovative and bold initiatives with Papara’s business know-how, robust technology, and user-centric culture. SadaPay will continue its growth journey with its brand.”
He further added, “Pakistan’s future star status is predicted on the back of its population growth, which could place it among the largest economies in the world in the next 50 years.”
SadaPay Founder and CEO Brandon Timinsky expressed his enthusiasm about the acquisition, saying, “We’re fortunate to leverage Papara’s industry expertise, advanced technology platform, and diverse product offerings. With SadaPay’s strong brand, exceptional team, and local foundation, this acquisition will significantly accelerate the pace at which we can deliver value to Pakistan’s quarter-billion citizens.”
The acquisition, reported in February 2024, was valued at under $50 million, down from SadaPay’s previous valuation of $120 million. Papara has also committed an additional $10 million to fortify SadaPay’s position as a key competitor in the financial services sector. Despite the change in ownership, SadaPay’s structure and team will remain intact, with Brandon Timinsky continuing as the company’s CEO.
This strategic acquisition follows Papara’s recent European expansion through the acquisition of the Spanish fintech firm Rebellion in 2023. With Pakistan’s population exceeding 240 million, and 70% of its population under the age of 35, the country presents substantial potential for financial innovation. The fintech sector in Pakistan is rapidly expanding, and investments in technology are on the rise.
Papara’s acquisition of SadaPay signifies a pivotal step in harnessing this potential and driving financial transformation in one of the world’s most populous nations.
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