Lagos, Nigeria – August 15, 2025
Airtime lending, once dismissed as a minor telecom add-on, has ballooned into a multi-billion naira goldmine for Nigeria’s mobile network operators, fuelled by the growing need for instant credit among millions of subscribers.
Once a backup for emergencies, airtime loans are now a daily lifeline for users who can’t immediately top up. The service, which lets subscribers borrow airtime or data and repay with a small service fee on their next recharge, has surged in popularity amid rising mobile penetration and economic pressures.
Telecom giants MTN, Airtel, and Globacom have partnered with fintech firms to ensure fast disbursement, seamless repayment, and minimal default risk. Industry analysts estimate that annual transactions in airtime lending now run into tens of billions of naira, delivering operators high-margin, low-risk returns.
However, critics have flagged the relatively steep service charges, often between 10% and 15%, warning they may unfairly weigh on low-income users. Consumer advocacy groups are urging regulators to enforce fair pricing and transparency.
With Nigeria’s mobile subscriber base now exceeding 200 million and digital finance rapidly expanding, industry watchers say airtime lending will remain one of the telecom sector’s most dependable revenue drivers for years to come.