Telecoms operator Airtel Nigeria has temporarily suspended its airtime and data credit services that allow prepaid users to borrow tariff and pay back on their next recharge.
According to a statement seen by Technext on Friday, Airtel Nigeria noted that the development stems from the need to align with operating requirements concerning digital lending services in Nigeria.
“This is a necessary and responsible step as we align our operations with evolving requirements,” part of the statement reads.
Reacting to the update, Airtel Nigeria’s Director of Marketing, Ismail Adeshina, noted that amid the temporary suspension of the service, the telco remains committed to complying with regulations guiding its operations and also strategically innovating as necessary.
“Airtel Nigeria remains committed to the highest standards of compliance, transparency, and consumer protection, while continuing to innovate responsibly within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem,” he added.
Amid the temporary suspension, Airtel Nigeria stressed that subscribers will continue to enjoy other related services, including airtime and data purchase on various channels.
In addition, the telco noted that the development is not expected to have financial impacts on its service and quality of operation nationwide.
“The temporary suspension is not expected to have a material impact on its service standards across the country,” it said.
Airtel Nigeria noted that further updates will be provided on the status of the XtraTime service and when the suspension will be lifted.
Also Read: MTN Nigeria pauses airtime and data borrowing to comply with new digital lending requirements.
Why Airtel Nigeria is suspending XtraTime service
The Airtel Nigeria announcement comes less than a day after MTN suspended its XtraTime service, citing compliance with the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025 (DEON).
The DEON rule, under the guidance of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), requires companies offering digital lending services to get proper licenses, to follow stricter compliance standards and adjust loan recovery measures.
The rule seeks to guide digital lending services such as airtime credit, loan apps, and buy now pay later (BNPL).
For telcos, the suspension comes at a time when Nigerians are spending more time online, driven by a spike in smartphone penetration, financial inclusion, and how the digital divide is adjusting.
In its 9 months ending December 2025, Airtel Nigeria’s revenue climbed to $1.13 billion, largely fueled by data earnings, which generated $576 million in revenue.
Data usage per customer grew by 26.2% to 10.7 GB per month, up from 8.4 GB in the prior period, with smartphone penetration increasing 4.6% to 54.1%. Smartphone data usage per customer reached 13.4 GB per month compared to 11.2 GB per month in the prior period.
Technext Newsletter
Get the best of Africa’s daily tech to your inbox – first thing every morning.
Join the community now!
