MTN Nigeria suspends Xtratime service amid new lending regulations

MTN Nigeria Communications PLC has announced the temporary suspension of its airtime and data credit advance service, popularly known as Xtratime, citing compliance with new consumer lending regulations.

In a notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and the investing public on Thursday, the telecoms operator said the decision follows the implementation of processes required under the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025.

The new regulatory framework introduces stricter compliance and licensing requirements for companies offering digital or non-traditional consumer credit services, a category under which the Xtratime service falls.

MTN Nigeria noted that while the suspension is in effect, subscribers will continue to access alternative digital channels for purchasing airtime and data.

The company added that the move is not expected to materially impact its financial performance, given the relatively small contribution of the Xtratime service to its overall revenue mix.

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“We are closely monitoring customer behaviour and usage trends and will provide an update on any quantified impact in our Q1 2026 results,” the company said.

MTN Nigeria, a subsidiary of MTN Group, serves more than 87 million subscribers across the country and remains one of Africa’s largest telecommunications providers.