By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. | adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com
Editor, DDNews |
Mobile phone users across Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and other African countries borrowed a staggering ₦4.61 trillion (approximately $3.18 billion) in airtime credit from mobile network operators last year, according to a new report by Optasia.
The report highlights the growing dependence on nano-loans to stay connected in an increasingly digital continent, with Africa accounting for a massive 94.2 per cent of total global airtime credit disbursed in 2025.
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Optasia also revealed strong growth in nano-loan disbursements, which more than doubled to $2.3 billion during the period, underscoring the rising demand for small, instant digital credit facilities among low-income users.
Nigeria remains one of the largest and most significant markets for airtime credit in Africa, even as the sector faces ongoing regulatory uncertainty.
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Many users rely on these short-term loans to make calls, access data, and carry out essential digital transactions when they run out of credit, reflecting broader economic pressures and limited access to traditional banking services.
Analysts say the surge in airtime borrowing points to deeper issues around financial inclusion, household income challenges, and the critical role of mobile connectivity in daily economic activities across the continent.
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The heavy reliance on airtime credit as a form of emergency financing is expected to continue, especially in markets like Nigeria, where a large percentage of the population depends on mobile phones for communication, business, and access to services.
DDNewsOnline – Lagos
By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. (Beedee)
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