Millions of mobile phone users across Nigeria and other emerging economies are increasingly relying on borrowed airtime to stay connected, and the numbers have now reached unprecedented levels.
A new financial report has revealed that consumers purchased a staggering $3.1 billion worth of airtime on credit in 2025, highlighting a growing dependence on short-term digital borrowing amid economic pressures and limited access to traditional banking services.
The figures, released by fintech company Optasia, showed that airtime advances climbed from $2.83 billion in 2024 to $3.18 billion in 2025, representing a 12.3 per cent increase within a year. In Nigerian currency, the value translates to approximately ₦4.61 trillion. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Africa remains at the centre of this trend, accounting for over 94 per cent of all airtime credit disbursed globally. The continent alone recorded $2.99 billion in airtime borrowing, underlining how essential mobile phones have become for everyday survival, communication and business activities.
The growing popularity of airtime credit reflects the financial realities facing millions of people. With inflation, rising living costs and restricted access to conventional financial services, many consumers now depend on small digital loans to bridge temporary cash shortages.
Optasia, the fintech company behind much of the service, partners with telecommunications operators and financial institutions to offer airtime advances and nano-loans. Its platform uses technology to analyse subscribers’ behaviour, credit history and repayment patterns before determining who qualifies for borrowing and how much they can access.
Beyond airtime, the company also recorded explosive growth in nano-loans. Transactions in this category surged to $2.3 billion in 2025, more than double the $967.9 million recorded in the previous year. Africa contributed $1.41 billion of this amount, reinforcing the continent’s growing appetite for micro-credit solutions.
The expansion significantly boosted Optasia’s earnings. The firm’s revenue jumped by 75.5 per cent to $265.36 million, while profit after tax rose to $43.13 million. Total assets also more than doubled during the period, reaching $302.17 million.
Nigeria remains one of the company’s most strategic markets. Optasia currently operates locally through two subsidiaries, Nairtime Nigeria Limited and Xtra MFS Nigeria Limited, both wholly owned by the company. The country also represents a major source of financial exposure for the group because fluctuations in the naira directly impact its operations and earnings.
However, the rapid expansion of digital lending is raising concerns among regulators. The company’s provisions for expected credit losses nearly doubled to $65.21 million in 2025, reflecting the risks associated with increasing numbers of consumers borrowing airtime and digital loans.
At the same time, Nigeria’s airtime credit market is becoming the subject of a regulatory battle. The Federal Government has been considering opening the sector to more indigenous fintech firms in a move aimed at encouraging competition and reducing dependence on foreign operators. Yet, the process remains uncertain due to ongoing legal disputes and conflicting positions among regulators.
The development paints a clear picture of modern consumer behaviour: mobile phones are no longer just communication tools but lifelines that many people are willing to borrow money to sustain. As economic challenges persist, experts believe digital credit products such as airtime advances and nano-loans will continue to expand across Nigeria and the rest of Africa, even as concerns over debt accumulation and consumer protection grow.
