MTN Nigeria Suspends XtraTime Service Over FCCPC Rules

MTN Nigeria has announced the temporary suspension of its airtime and data advance service, known as XtraTime, in response to new regulatory requirements introduced by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). This decision was disclosed in a filing to the Nigerian Exchange on Thursday.

The suspension is part of MTN's efforts to comply with the FCCPC's digital electronic online non-traditional consumer lending regulations set for 2025. The new compliance framework requires entities providing digital non-traditional consumer credit services to obtain additional licensing.

Despite this suspension, MTN reassured its customers that they can still access channels to purchase airtime and data. The company does not anticipate a material impact on its earnings due to this suspension, given its scale within the revenue mix, and plans to monitor customer behavior and usage patterns, providing updates in its first quarter 2026 results.

The FCCPC's 2025 regulations expand oversight of digital lending, including telecom operators offering short-term credit services.