Airtime borrowing in Nigeria has reached a record ₦4.6 trillion as millions of people borrowed airtime to stay connected in 2025.
New figures from fintech company Optasia show that mobile users across Africa and other emerging markets borrowed $3.18 billion worth of airtime on credit last year. Using the company’s exchange rate, this amounts to about ₦4.61 trillion. The figure is higher than the ₦4.38 trillion recorded in 2024. Africa alone accounted for more than 94 percent of all airtime credit issued, proving how important these services have become for everyday communication.
At the same time, demand for digital loans grew even faster. Optasia’s nano-loan business more than doubled, with loan disbursements rising from $967.9 million to $2.3 billion in 2025. Many consumers now depend on small loans and airtime advances to manage daily expenses. As living costs continue to rise, telecom-based credit is becoming a quick financial lifeline for millions of people who have limited access to traditional banking services.
Nigeria remains one of Optasia’s biggest markets. The company operates locally through Nairtime Nigeria Limited and Xtra MFS Nigeria Limited. Although it did not disclose revenue from Nigeria alone, business activity in the country increased significantly. Trade receivables linked to Nigerian operations jumped by more than 100 percent in 2025, showing stronger customer demand. Meanwhile, the company reported holding billions of naira in local assets, highlighting Nigeria’s importance to its operations.
However, rapid growth has also increased risks. Optasia’s expected credit loss provision nearly doubled during the year. In addition, Nigeria’s airtime credit market is facing regulatory uncertainty. Recent discussions around opening the sector to more local fintech companies have sparked debate among regulators and industry players. While airtime advance services have resumed across major telecom networks, the future structure of the market remains unclear. Even so, strong demand suggests airtime credit will continue playing a major role in helping Nigerians stay connected.
