Mobile phone users in Nigeria and other emerging markets received airtime credit worth $3.18 billion in 2025, reflecting a growing reliance on telecom-linked lending services across developing economies, according to the latest financial statements released by fintech company Optasia.
The report showed that airtime advances provided through telecommunications operators increased by 12.3 percent from $2.83 billion in 2024 to $3.18 billion in 2025. Based on exchange rates contained in the financial statements, the value of the advances amounted to approximately N4.61 trillion in 2025, compared with about N4.38 trillion recorded the previous year.
Africa remained the company’s largest market, accounting for more than 94 percent of total airtime credit disbursements. The continent recorded $2.99 billion in airtime advances during the year, up from $2.53 billion in 2024. Europe and Asia contributed $96.1 million, while the Middle East accounted for $87.7 million.
The figures underscore the increasing dependence of millions of mobile subscribers on small-value digital credit products, especially in regions where access to conventional banking services remains limited and economic pressures continue to affect household incomes.
Optasia, which partners with telecom operators and financial institutions to provide airtime advances and nano-loans, explained that its technology platform assesses customer behavior, credit history, and other relevant data before determining eligibility and credit limits. The company noted that it also assumes part of the risk associated with unpaid airtime advances by compensating telecom operators when subscribers fail to repay within the agreed period.
The company also reported significant growth in its nano-loan business. Through its Mobile Financial Services segment, Optasia facilitated nano-loans worth $2.3 billion in 2025, more than double the $967.9 million recorded in 2024. Africa contributed $1.41 billion of the total, while Europe and Asia accounted for $888.9 million.
Strong growth in both airtime lending and nano-loan services boosted the company’s financial performance. Revenue rose by 75.5 percent to $265.36 million in 2025 from $151.19 million a year earlier. Mobile Financial Services generated $167.53 million in revenue, while airtime credit services contributed $96.86 million.
Africa remained Optasia’s largest source of income, contributing $234.81 million, representing 88.5 percent of total revenue. Europe and Asia generated $25.43 million, while the Middle East contributed $5.12 million.
Profit after tax increased to $43.13 million from $36.23 million in 2024, while total assets more than doubled to $302.17 million from $141.79 million.
Optasia described itself as a fintech analytics company that supports major telecommunications operators by providing airtime and data credit services, as well as micro- and nano-loans to underserved populations across emerging markets. The company operates in more than 25 countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Algeria, Zambia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Brazil, Greece, and the United Arab Emirates.
The report revealed that Africa remains the company’s dominant region, with operations spanning 16 countries. Nigeria, in particular, continues to play an important role in its business activities.
Optasia maintains a direct presence in Nigeria through two wholly owned subsidiaries, Nairtime Nigeria Limited and Xtra MFS Nigeria Limited. While the company did not disclose separate financial results for its Nigerian operations, it identified the Nigerian market as significant to its overall business and foreign exchange exposure.
According to the financial statements, Optasia held naira-denominated assets valued at N19.72 billion at the end of 2025, compared with liabilities of N357.09 million, leaving a net exposure of N19.37 billion. Although this represented a decline from the N25.03 billion recorded in 2024, Nigeria remains one of the company’s most important currency-risk markets.
The report also showed that Nigeria accounted for $7.73 million in gross trade receivables in 2025, more than double the $3.8 million reported a year earlier. This sharp increase suggests growing transaction volumes and stronger business activity linked to the company’s Nigerian operations.
Optasia further disclosed that it maintains access to local financing through naira-denominated facilities from Nigerian banks, including invoice discounting and cash-backed term loan arrangements carrying annual interest rates of 30 percent. Although the facilities were unused as of December 2025, they provide access to local currency funding when required.
The company’s investment portfolio also includes a 10.05 percent stake in Quickcheck Holding Limited, a digital lending platform with significant operations in Nigeria. Optasia noted that recent reforms by the Central Bank of Nigeria, stronger oil revenues, and improvements in foreign exchange market stability could support a more favorable operating environment for businesses.
Despite strong growth, the report highlighted rising credit risks associated with digital lending. Provisions for expected credit losses on financial guarantee contracts climbed to $65.21 million in 2025 from $33.42 million a year earlier, reflecting the increasing exposure tied to airtime advances and nano-loan products.
Meanwhile, Optasia’s dominance in Nigeria’s airtime credit market has come under increased scrutiny. Reports indicate that the Federal Government is considering measures aimed at opening the sector to indigenous fintech companies in order to promote competition, strengthen local participation, and reduce capital outflows.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has, however, denied reports suggesting that it recommended the approval of additional operators or submitted names of local fintech firms to the Presidency. The commission stated that it remains bound by a court order suspending the implementation of the Digital, Electronic, Online, or Non-traditional Consumer Lending Regulations 2025 pending the resolution of an ongoing legal dispute.
The controversy emerged after telecommunications operators, including MTN, Airtel, Glo, and T2mobile, temporarily suspended airtime credit services following regulatory directives that classified airtime advances as consumer lending products. The decision triggered a disagreement between the FCCPC and the Nigerian Communications Commission over regulatory oversight.
Although services have since been restored, uncertainty remains regarding the future structure of the airtime credit market. Nevertheless, the strong growth recorded by Optasia demonstrates that demand for small-ticket digital credit continues to rise, particularly across Africa, where mobile phone usage far exceeds access to traditional banking services.