Business
Net1 to sell KSNET for $237 million
Transaction allows Net1 to further focus on its core fintech strategy serving underbanked customers in emerging and developed economies JOHANNESBURG, South
About this update from Lesaka Technologies, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Transaction allows Net1 to further focus on its core fintech strategy serving underbanked customers in emerging and developed economies\nJOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Jan. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Net 1 UEPS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: UEPS, JSE: NT1) (“Net1” or the “Company”) today announced that it has agreed to sell 100% of KSNET, Inc. (“KSNET”), a leading Republic of Korea (“South Korea”) payment processor, to Stonebridge Capital and Payletter for approximately $237 million. The transaction, which is not subject to a financing condition, is expected to close in March 2020.\n “KSNET is a profitable and cash generative business, but operates autonomously and in a more developed economy with limited overlap with the group’s other activities. We also believe that the intrinsic value of KSNET was not appropriately reflected in Net1’s overall valuation. Therefore our Board commenced a strategic review of our various businesses and investments late last year, and ultimately decided to sell KSNET in order to focus more on our core strategy, boost liquidity and to maximize shareholder returns. We believe Stonebridge Capital and Payletter are the right strategic partners for KSNET, as they are committed to building further scale in the South Korean payments market,” said Herman Kotzé, CEO of Net1. “This transaction marks a significant milestone in our strategic plan, and allows management to further focus on its core strategy of providing fintech solutions for the underbanked in South Africa, Africa, Europe and other emerging economies as well as our new blockchain related products,” he concluded. The Company will provide further details on its second quarter fiscal 2020 earnings call on February 7, 2020. FT Partners acted as exclusive financial advisor to Net1 and Yulchon LLC served as legal counsel. About Net1 (www.net1.com) Net1 is a leading provider of transaction processing services, financial inclusion products and services and secure payment technology. Net1 operates market-leading payment processors in South Africa and the Republic of Korea. Net1 offers debit, credit and prepaid processing and issuing services for all major payment networks. In South Africa, Net1 provides innovative low-cost financial inclusion products, including banking, lending and insurance and through DNI is a leading distributor of mobile subscriber st...