Mobile subscribers in Nigeria and other emerging markets borrowed a staggering $3.18 billion in airtime on credit in 2025, with Africa accounting for over 94% of the entire amount. This revelation comes from the latest financial reports released by fintech firm Optasia.
Airtime and Data Borrowing on the Rise
The value of airtime advances increased by 12.3% from $2.83 billion in 2024, highlighting a growing reliance on digital micro-credit services in countries with limited access to conventional banking. Optasia stated in their report: "Airtime credit services represent service fees charged on airtime credit amounting to $3,176.34 million (2024: $2,829.2 million) provided to telecom operators' subscribers during the year."
At the current exchange rates released by the firm, airtime advances amounted to roughly N4.61 trillion in 2025, compared to N4.38 trillion a year before. This shift is due to the naira appreciating over the year at N1,450.58 to the dollar, from N1,547.30. The contribution from Africa to airtime credits included $2.99 billion (94.2%), while those from Europe/Asia and the Middle East were $96.1 million and $87.7 million, respectively, according to Punch reports.
Countries' Airtime Credit Service on the Rise
Optasia operates in over 25 markets, including South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, and Pakistan, offering airtime advances and nano loans via telecom operators using credit scoring systems informed by behavioral data. The firm stated that it is, in part, also the credit risk guarantor of the advances, indemnifying telecom operators from losses when subscribers fail to repay after a certain duration.
Apart from the provision for airtime credits, Optasia's nano loan sector saw a 100% increase from $967.9 million in 2024 to $2.30 billion in 2025, with Africa's share being $1.41 billion. The firm recorded a 75.5% jump in revenue to $265.36 million, while profit after tax increased to $43.13 million, and total assets more than doubled to $302.17 million.
Africa also remained the dominant revenue producer with 88.5% of overall revenue earned as at the end of 2025. The report shows that Optasia Nigeria has two subsidiaries: Nairtime Nigeria Limited and Xtra MFS Nigeria Limited. Optasia also has a shareholding in the digital lending platform Quickcheck Holding Limited, which caters to the Nigerian market. Nigeria's naira-denominated receivables grew to $7.73 million from $3.80 million as transaction activities increased.
Conversely, Optasia increased its provision for expected credit losses by 95.1% from $33.42 million in 2024 to $65.21 million in 2025, signaling the potential credit risk it faces with its nano loans and airtime lending products.
Why We Suspended DEON Rules
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has explained why it suspended the implementation and enforcement of its controversial Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations 2025 (DEON Regulations). The Commission said it decided, in obedience to a Federal High Court order restraining the enforcement of the regulations. The regulations had been challenged in court by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria (WASPAN) in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/760/2026.
