𝐅𝐂𝐂𝐏𝐂 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝟓 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has approved five companies to provide airtime and data lending services across Nigeria, effectively taking over a function previously dominated by telecom operators.

The approved firms are:

· Total Tim Nigeria Limited
· Rane Interactive Medien CLS Limited
· Mode NG Applications Limited
· Cloud Interactive Associate Limited
· Coverage Broadband Limited

According to the FCCPC, these companies met all requirements under the Digital Consumer Lending Regulations introduced in 2025. The regulation aims to make digital lending fairer and more transparent for consumers.

This development follows the suspension of airtime lending services by all major telecom operators, including MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile (now T2). MTN and Airtel announced their suspension last week, with the others quickly following suit.

An official from the Nigeria Data Protection Commission explained that telecom operators had failed to comply with the new lending rules. They were given 90 days starting July 2025 to comply, with a deadline extension to January 5, 2026, but ultimately did not meet the requirements.

Telecom companies have cited regulatory overload, noting they are already regulated by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). For now, they have chosen to step back and observe.

However, telecom operators will still be involved indirectly. The approved lenders will partner with them to provide airtime and data services, with both sides sharing revenue.

Impact on Consumers

The suspension has already affected millions of Nigerians who rely on borrowing airtime in emergencies. The popular *303# code, used for borrowing from MTN and other networks, is no longer working.

Some users have expressed concern. “The service was very helpful, especially when I had no money but needed to make urgent calls,” one customer said. “Stopping it will make things harder for people who depend on it.”

Background

MTN and Airtel have described the suspension as temporary and linked to the new lending rules, assuring customers that they can still buy airtime and data through other channels.

The FCCPC had initially set October 31, 2025, as the deadline for all digital lenders to register or face a ₦100 million fine. The deadline was later extended to January 5, 2026, to allow more time for compliance.

With the approval of these five operators, the FCCPC has now firmly taken control of the airtime lending space, signaling a new era for digital lending in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.