WhatsApp will start charging some businesses for messages sent through its Business Platform from October 1, 2026.
Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, announced the change in a pricing update released in July 2026. The new charges will affect companies that use the official WhatsApp Business Platform to manage customer conversations at scale.
Likely Businesses that will feel the impact
Banks, fintechs, e-commerce companies, telecom operators, logistics firms and large retailers are among the businesses that could feel the impact. However, ordinary WhatsApp users will not be affected. Most small businesses that use the regular WhatsApp Business app on their phones will also not be affected.
Under the current system, a customer message opens a 24-hour customer service window. During that period, businesses can send certain service and utility messages without paying Meta. From October 1, however, Meta will charge businesses for these messages.
“Effective October 1, 2026, Meta will charge on a per-message basis for all service messages,” the company said in its developer documentation.
Meta added that it will also charge for utility messages sent in response to customers within an open 24-hour service window. Utility messages include payment confirmations, order updates and delivery notifications. Meta said service messages have not been charged since November 1, 2024. Utility messages have also been free since July 1, 2025.
Estimated Cost for Nigerian Businesses
For Nigerian businesses, a service or utility message is expected to cost about $0.0101. That is roughly ₦14 per message, based on an exchange rate of about ₦1,340 to $1. Marketing messages will cost more at about $0.062 per message, or roughly ₦84.
The charges could become another expense for businesses that rely heavily on WhatsApp for customer communication. However, Meta’s fees may not be the only cost. Businesses using third-party platforms or Solution Providers could also pay additional provider fees.
Meta has advised affected businesses to add a payment method before the new pricing takes effect. Businesses without a payment method by September 30 could have their service messages blocked once the charges begin on October 1.
