MTN Nigeria Suspends Borrowing Services Over New Regulatory Requirements
MTN Nigeria has explained that its recent suspension of airtime and data borrowing services is linked to new regulatory directives introduced by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
The clarification was provided by the company’s secretary, Uto Ukpanah, during a briefing at the Nigerian Exchange.
According to MTN, the pause is necessary to align its operations with the FCCPC’s Digital, Electronic, Online, or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations 2025, which introduce stricter compliance and licensing requirements for providers of digital credit services.
The telecom operator noted that the updated rules now extend to services like airtime and data borrowing, effectively placing them under the same regulatory framework as other digital lending platforms.
MTN emphasised that the suspension is temporary and part of efforts to fully meet the new compliance standards. It also reassured customers that regular channels for purchasing airtime and data remain unaffected.
Despite the disruption, the company does not expect the move to significantly impact its overall revenue, suggesting that borrowing services make up a relatively small portion of its earnings.
The FCCPC had previously introduced interim guidelines for digital lending in 2022, but the 2025 regulations mark a more comprehensive approach, requiring all operators in the space to formally register and comply with stricter oversight.
