MTN Suspends Data, Airtime Borrowing Service Over New FCCPC Lending Rules

MTN Nigeria has announced the temporary suspension of its airtime and data advance service, Xtratime, following new regulatory requirements introduced by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

The telecom giant disclosed the development in a filing to the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Thursday, stating that the move is necessary to comply with the FCCPC’s Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025.

Xtratime, widely used by prepaid subscribers, allows customers to borrow airtime or data and repay on their next recharge.

In the disclosure signed by Company Secretary Uto Ukpanah, the firm confirmed the halt, noting, “MTN Nigeria Communications PLC hereby notifies the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the investing public that the company has temporarily suspended its airtime and data credit advance service (‘Xtratime’).”

The company explained that the service now falls within the scope of the FCCPC’s expanded regulatory framework, which mandates fresh licensing and stricter compliance procedures for digital credit providers.

“The suspension relates to the implementation of processes under the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025, which introduced a new compliance and licensing framework for entities providing digital or non-traditional consumer credit services,” the statement added.

Despite the suspension, MTN reassured subscribers that alternative channels for purchasing airtime and data remain fully operational. It also downplayed the financial impact of the move.

“Given the scale within the revenue mix, we do not expect the temporary suspension to have a material impact,” the company said, adding that it is closely monitoring customer behaviour and will provide further updates in its first-quarter 2026 results.

The FCCPC’s 2025 regulations significantly broaden oversight of Nigeria’s digital lending ecosystem, bringing telecom operators and other providers of short-term credit services under stricter scrutiny. Companies offering such services are now required to register and obtain regulatory approval to continue operations.

The Commission had initially introduced a framework for digital lending in 2022, but expanded it in 2025 amid rising concerns over consumer debt, data privacy and lending practices.

With a transitional compliance deadline set for April 2026, industry players are expected to align with the new rules or risk sanctions, marking a new phase in the regulation of Nigeria’s fast-growing digital credit market.