Nigerians, African subscribers borrowed $3.18bn in airtime credit in 2025 — Optasia
By Aboki Forex —
Mobile phone subscribers in Nigeria and other emerging markets borrowed airtime worth $3.18 billion on credit in 2025. Africa accounted for more than 94 percent of the total, according to the latest financial statements of fintech firm Optasia.
The company’s 2025 consolidated financial statements showed that airtime advances granted through telecom operators rose to $3.18 billion last year from $2.83 billion in 2024. That is a 12.3 percent increase.
Optasia stated, “Airtime credit services represent service fees charged on airtime credit amounting to $3,176.34 million (2024: $2,829.2 million) granted to subscribers of the telecom operators during the year.”
Using the exchange rates disclosed in the financial statements, the airtime advances amounted to about N4.61 trillion in 2025 in naira terms. That is up from approximately N4.38 trillion in 2024.