Airtel Nigeria Halts Airtime Borrowing Service
Airtel Nigeria has announced the temporary suspension of its airtime and data credit services, which previously allowed eligible prepaid customers to borrow airtime or data and repay on their next recharge.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Director of Corporate Communications and CSR at Airtel Nigeria, Femi Adeniran, said the decision is part of ongoing adjustments to align the company’s operations with evolving regulatory and operational requirements in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
“Airtel Nigeria remains committed to the highest standards of compliance, transparency, and consumer protection, while continuing to innovate responsibly within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem,” said Ismail Adeshina, Director of Marketing at Airtel Nigeria.
Despite the suspension, the telecom operator assured customers that they will continue to have uninterrupted access to standard airtime and data purchases through existing channels. The pause in the credit service is not expected to affect overall service quality or network performance across the country.
The development comes amid growing regulatory scrutiny of digital lending and credit-based services in Nigeria’s telecom sector. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has introduced new lending regulations requiring all digital money lenders, including telecom operators offering credit services, to register with the commission and comply with strict consumer protection guidelines.
According to the FCCPC’s Limited Interim Regulatory/Registration Framework and Guidelines for Digital Lending 2022, all digital lending platforms must obtain approval from the commission before operating in Nigeria. The guidelines were introduced to address concerns over predatory lending practices, data privacy violations, and unethical debt recovery methods.
In a related development, MTN Nigeria had earlier suspended its own airtime and data lending platform, Xtratime, citing similar regulatory adjustments. A statement from MTN Nigeria at the time indicated that the suspension was “necessary to ensure full compliance with the new lending regulations” introduced by the FCCPC.
Subscribers across various networks have expressed frustration over the suspension of credit services, which many Nigerians relied upon during emergencies or when unable to purchase airtime immediately. However, industry analysts note that the regulatory intervention is designed to protect consumers from exploitative practices and ensure transparency in digital lending operations.
Airtel Nigeria stated that updates on the status of the suspended service will be communicated to customers in due course.
The FCCPC’s regulatory framework mandates that digital lenders must disclose full terms and conditions of loans, including interest rates, repayment periods, and consequences of default. The commission also prohibits lenders from accessing borrowers’ phone contacts or using harassment as a debt recovery method.
The telecom operator added that the move is “a necessary and responsible step” as the company aligns its operations with evolving requirements.