Industry stakeholders are pressing Nigeria’s regulators to establish formal coordination protocols for digital airtime credit services, which have become a critical financial lifeline for millions of Nigerians. The call follows regulatory disruptions that temporarily halted these services earlier in 2026.
Airtime Credit as Economic Infrastructure
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), described airtime credit as “economic infrastructure” used by approximately 40 million Nigerians. He emphasised that its temporary suspension affected far more than just the telecom industry. “The lesson is that Nigeria’s regulatory agencies need formal coordination protocols for services at the intersection of telecommunications and financial products,” Adebayo said. “The FCCPC’s consumer protection mandate and the NCC’s telecom regulatory mandate can coexist without either displacing the other. We are ready to participate in that conversation and urge both agencies to begin it without delay.”
The disruption occurred after the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) introduced the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-traditional Consumer Lending (DEON) Regulations, which temporarily halted airtime credit offerings. Services were later restored following regulatory and legal developments.
Market Size and Consumer Dependency
Industry estimates value Nigeria’s airtime credit market at between ₦300 billion and ₦400 billion annually, reflecting growing demand for small-value digital credit accessed via mobile phones. These advances allow prepaid subscribers to make calls, access banking services, communicate with customers, and stay connected.
Uchenna Agbo, CEO of Nairtime Nigeria Limited and Optasia’s Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted the importance of these services. “These services provide a lifeline for millions of Nigerian consumers who rely on them for daily connectivity, and we welcome this development,” Agbo said. She added that Nairtime remains committed to working with regulators and industry partners to promote “a fair, transparent and inclusive digital ecosystem that benefits Nigeria and all Nigerians.”
Technology Behind the Services
While subscribers access airtime credit through mobile network operators, the underlying technology—real-time eligibility checks, automated credit decisions, and repayment systems—is provided by specialist fintech companies. Nairtime Nigeria, the local arm of Optasia, has operated in the country since 2012 and supplies the infrastructure for Airtime Credit Services offered by major telecoms.
Rising inflation continues to squeeze household budgets, driving more Nigerians to rely on digital credit for daily essentials. Experts believe a stable regulatory environment is critical to encouraging innovation while ensuring consumers enjoy secure, reliable, and responsible access to credit.
MTN Restores Borrowing Service
In a related move, MTN Nigeria reinstated its airtime and data borrowing service, allowing eligible subscribers to access emergency credit by dialling *303#. The restoration followed similar actions by Airtel and Glo, which had resumed lending services earlier. The temporary suspension had been triggered by regulatory disagreements, underscoring the need for clear, coordinated rules.
As the digital credit market expands, stakeholders are calling for policies that balance consumer protection with innovation. Formal coordination between the FCCPC and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is seen as essential to avoid future disruptions and maintain the trust of millions of users.
