MTN Nigeria is set to restore its Xtratime airtime lending service after the suspension of enforcement actions tied to Nigeria’s digital lending regulations.
The telecom operator’s planned return to airtime lending follows the decision by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to halt enforcement of the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations 2025.
The move places MTN alongside Airtel Nigeria and Globacom, both of which have already resumed airtime lending services after the regulatory pause.
Brandspur Brand News reports that MTN had initially maintained a cautious position despite an interim court order restraining the enforcement of the FCCPC rules, arguing that the judgment did not specifically direct telecom operators to immediately reactivate lending services.
The company’s Xtratime platform enables subscribers to borrow airtime and data, with repayment deducted from future recharges. The service plays a strategic role in supporting customer usage and generating additional revenue for the telecom giant.
During its earlier earnings presentation, MTN executives had stated that two conditions were necessary before the service could return: a court decision invalidating the FCCPC regulations or a clear directive authorising operators to restore airtime lending.
However, the company’s position shifted after the FCCPC formally suspended enforcement of the regulations on May 22, 2026, following legal action initiated by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria.
The court proceedings stemmed from an interim order granted by the Federal High Court in Lagos on April 15, 2026, after WASPAN challenged the implementation of the new lending framework.
Despite the temporary suspension of Xtratime, MTN executives said customer consumption patterns remained relatively stable after an initial short-term adjustment period.
According to the company, many subscribers adapted by switching to self-funded airtime and data purchases or using alternative methods to manage short-term telecom spending needs.
MTN disclosed that fees generated from Xtratime account for roughly three percent of the company’s revenue base, while telecom consumption linked to the service contributes a low-20 percent share of total airtime distribution across voice and data services.
The telecom operator also expressed confidence that the temporary suspension of airtime lending would not significantly affect its overall financial outlook for the year.
MTN Group recorded ₦5.2 trillion in revenue for the 2025 financial year and projects earnings of at least ₦6.24 trillion in 2026 as demand for telecom and digital services continues to expand.
In its first-quarter 2026 earnings report, the company stated that it was accelerating the onboarding of approved lending providers and preparing operational processes ahead of the full restoration of the Xtratime platform.
Industry analysts believe MTN’s decision to reactivate the service reflects the competitive importance of airtime lending in Nigeria’s telecommunications market, where operators increasingly rely on digital financial products to deepen customer engagement and boost recurring usage.
