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MTN Nigeria has temporarily discontinued its airtime and data borrowing product, Xtratime, in response to recently issued regulations from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
The company announced the decision in a filing with the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Thursday.
According to the disclosure signed by the company secretary, Uto Ukpanah, the suspension is necessary to meet the requirements outlined in the FCCPC’s Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025.
Xtratime previously allowed prepaid subscribers to access airtime or data on credit, with repayment triggered upon their next recharge.
Under the new regulatory framework, such services now require additional licensing and compliance measures from digital credit providers.
“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 filing read.
The company added that the suspension relates directly 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”.
MTN confirmed that customers can still purchase airtime and data through other available channels.
The company also stated that the temporary halt is not expected to have a material effect on its financial performance, citing the service’s limited share of total revenue.
“Given the scale within the revenue mix, we do not expect the temporary suspension to have a material impact,” MTN said, noting that it would continue monitoring customer usage patterns and provide further updates in its first-quarter 2026 results.
The FCCPC originally introduced a digital lending regulatory framework in 2022.
The 2025 revision expands the commission’s oversight to include telecom operators and other short-term credit providers.
Under the updated rules, companies offering airtime or data advances must register and receive official approval to operate.
Transitional deadlines have been set, with full registration required by April 2026.
