Mobile users across Africa borrowed $3.1bn in airtime credit in 2025, driven by Nigeria and rising telecom-linked lending demand
Mobile phone subscribers in Nigeria and other emerging markets borrowed $3.18bn in airtime credit in 2025, according to financial statements released by fintech firm Optasia, in a report published on Monday, June 15, 2026, in Abuja.
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The data shows a sharp rise in credit borrowing, with Africa accounting for the overwhelming share of transactions as millions of users relied on telecom-linked microcredit to stay connected amid financial pressure.
The fintech firm Optasia disclosed that airtime advances rose from $2.83bn in 2024 to $3.18bn in 2025, reflecting a 12.3 per cent increase driven largely by African markets.
Africa accounted for $2.99bn, representing 94.2 per cent of total airtime credit disbursed globally. Europe and Asia contributed $96.1m, while the Middle East added $87.7m, underscoring a deeply concentrated growth pattern.
The report highlighted strong dependence on small digital loans across the continent, where access to formal credit remains limited and household incomes face persistent pressure.
Optasia, a fintech analytics provider operating across more than 25 countries, said its platform assesses user behaviour to determine credit eligibility and manages disbursement and repayment processes through telecom partners.
The company also recorded rapid expansion in nano-loan services, which more than doubled to $2.30bn in 2025 from $967.9m the previous year, further reinforcing the surge in telecom-driven lending.
Revenue rose sharply by 75.5 per cent to $265.36m, supported by strong performance in mobile financial services and airtime credit operations.
Profit after tax increased to $43.13m, while total assets more than doubled to $302.17m.
Nigeria featured prominently in the firm’s exposure profile, with subsidiaries including Nairtime Nigeria Limited and Xtra MFS Nigeria Limited operating in the country.
Although revenue figures for Nigeria were not disclosed, the report confirmed significant transactional activity.
The findings also showed that Optasia’s exposure to the Nigerian naira declined to N19.37bn in 2025 from N25.03bn in 2024, reflecting reduced currency risk despite continued market activity.
Industry analysts note that telecom-based credit systems have become a critical financial lifeline in Africa, where mobile penetration far exceeds access to traditional banking services.
However, the rapid expansion of credit borrowing has raised concerns over rising credit risk. Optasia’s expected credit loss provisions doubled to $65.21m, signalling increased pressure from defaults and repayment delays.
In Nigeria, the sector has also become the focus of regulatory tension as authorities push for broader competition in airtime lending services.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has been involved in regulatory discussions around the framework governing digital lending.
Despite this, implementation of related regulations has faced legal and administrative delays following court action in Lagos, leaving the policy direction partly unresolved.
Telecommunications operators such as MTN, Airtel, Glo and T2mobile previously suspended airtime credit services during regulatory uncertainty, before gradually restoring operations.
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The report underscores a growing reliance on microcredit systems embedded within mobile networks, a trend that continues to reshape financial access across Africa’s digital economy.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
