MTN Nigeria to restore Xtratime service after FCCPC suspends lending rules
By Aboki Forex —
MTN Nigeria is preparing to bring back its Xtratime airtime and data lending service. The move follows the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s decision to halt enforcement of its Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, known as the DEON Regulations 2025.
Airtel Nigeria and Globacom have already resumed their airtime lending services after the regulatory pause. MTN had held off, citing legal uncertainty. But an insider told TechCabal that the company is now taking steps to reinstate Xtratime.
Regulatory pause clears the way
The FCCPC suspended enforcement of the DEON Regulations on May 22. This followed an interim court order issued by the Federal High Court in Lagos on April 15. The order came from a lawsuit filed by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria, which challenged parts of the regulations.
During its May earnings call, MTN executives had argued that the court ruling did not automatically require telecom operators to resume lending. They said the order neither invalidated the regulations nor directed operators to restore suspended products. The latest suspension has given MTN the clarity it needed.
Xtratime’s role in MTN’s business
Xtratime lets subscribers borrow airtime or data and repay automatically when they recharge. It is a key part of MTN’s telecom and fintech ecosystem. The service generates fees and supports customer usage.
MTN estimates that fees from Xtratime account for about 3 percent of total revenue. Airtime and data consumption linked to the service make up a little over one-fifth of airtime distribution. The company says the product mostly affects how customers pay, not whether they use the network.
Revenue outlook remains strong
MTN executives insist the temporary absence of Xtratime has not hurt demand or performance. CEO Karl Toriola said subscribers initially adjusted their usage but quickly found alternative ways to fund their telecom needs.
In its first-quarter 2026 earnings report, MTN said it had started onboarding approved providers and expected to restore the service soon. The company generated ₦5.2 trillion in revenue in 2025 and projects at least ₦6.24 trillion in 2026. It maintains that its long-term revenue outlook remains strong even if the service faces future disruptions.
With rivals already back in the market, MTN’s planned return highlights the competitive value of Xtratime. The company is now moving to catch up.