The company disclosed this in a corporate filing to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) on Thursday.

MTN said the suspension was necessitated by the FCCPC’s Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025, which established a new compliance and licensing framework for providers of digital credit services.

In the disclosure signed by its Company Secretary, Uto Ukpanah, the telecom operator explained that Xtratime enabled eligible prepaid subscribers to borrow airtime or data and repay on their next recharge.

“MTN Nigeria Communications Plc hereby notifies the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the investing public that the Company has temporarily suspended its airtime and data credit advance service (‘Xtratime’).

“This relates to the implementation of processes under the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025.

”The implementation introduced a new compliance and licensing framework for entities providing digital or non-traditional consumer credit services,” the company said.

The firm assured customers that other digital channels for purchasing airtime and data would remain available during the suspension.

MTN also noted that the temporary halt was not expected to significantly impact its earnings.

“Given the scale within the revenue mix, we do not expect the temporary suspension to have a material impact,” it stated.

The company added that it would continue to monitor customer behaviour and provide updates on any measurable impact in its first quarter 2026 results.

NAN reports that the FCCPC regulation builds on earlier guidelines issued in 2022 to strengthen oversight of digital lending in Nigeria.

Under the new framework, all digital lenders, including telecom operators offering airtime or data credit services, are required to register with the commission.

The FCCPC had earlier set Oct. 31, 2025, as the deadline for registration, with a penalty of N100 million for non-compliance before extending it to Jan. 5, 2026, and subsequently to April 2026 to allow full compliance.

The Commission’s Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, had said operators that failed to regularise their status within the stipulated period could face further regulatory actions.

The post MTN suspends airtime, data lending services over FCCPC regulation appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

The Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Dinesh Balsingh, said this on Thursday during an Airtel media roundtable in Lagos.

Balsingh said the company expanded its network footprint by about 15 per cent between December 2023 and early 2025, increasing its sites from roughly 15,000 to 17,000, with further expansion planned this year.

“Over the last two years, we have expanded our geographical network by close to 15 per cent, and we intend to repeat that scale of expansion again in 2026,” he said.

He said the investments were focused on deep rural communities, small towns and the fringes of major cities, adding that the expansion was designed to improve coverage, capacity and network resilience.

“Everyone has the right to digital connectivity, including people in deep rural markets and small communities,” Balsingh said.

According to him, Airtel has deployed satellite technology in remote locations where fibre access is impractical, citing communities in Adamawa and other parts of northern Nigeria now connected via Starlink.

“These are very remote villages where terrestrial fibre was practically impossible, but satellite connectivity is performing very well,” he said.

Balsingh said Airtel had also upgraded capacity on about 25 per cent of its existing sites in 2025 the by deploying higher-capacity radios and migrating backhaul from microwave to fibre.

He noted that 99.99 per cent of Airtel’s network sites were now 4G-enabled, even in remote areas, while spectrum capacity on the 4G network had been increased by about 20 per cent to meet rising data demand.

“4G remains the backbone of mobile data usage, and expanding spectrum is like widening the highway for traffic,” he said.

On 5G, Balsingh said Airtel had more than doubled its 5G sites in the last three months and planned to migrate about 25 per cent of its network in the top 20 cities to 5G over time.

He also said Airtel was expanding its fibre backbone by about 25 per cent and had completed nearly half of the rollout, alongside plans for a second internet breakout point from southern Nigeria to improve national network resilience.

“These investments are about building scale, capacity and resilience for the long-term future of Nigeria,” Balsingh said.

He added that Airtel was strengthening its artificial intelligence and data centre capabilities, including a hyperscaler-ready facility expected to support advanced analytics, network automation and consumer protection services.

Balsingh acknowledged ongoing challenges around fibre cuts and infrastructure damage, but commended government and regulatory efforts to protect telecom assets under the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) framework.

“We are very happy with what the government and the regulator are doing around CNII, especially the focus on reducing fibre cuts, which affect all operators and consumers,” he said.

Balsingh said in spite of challenges such as fibre cuts, Airtel remained committed to sustained investment, describing 2026 as another massive year for network and digital infrastructure development ìin Nigeria.

The post Airtel to deepen network expansion in 2026 appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

NCC said this during a stakeholders’ forum on the Study of Competition in the Nigerian Telecommunications Industry in collaboration with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Lagos on Tuesday.

Speaking at the forum, the Head of Tariff, Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis Department, NCC, Mrs Omotayo Mohammed, said that the exercise was necessary to validate existing competition policies against current market realities.

Mohammed said the telecommunications sector, which contributed about 9.1 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as at third quarter of 2025, had undergone significant changes in revenue models, investment patterns and market interactions.

She noted that rapid technological change, evolving consumer behaviour, rising investment costs and heightened competitive pressures had increased concerns around market concentration, barriers to entry and small players’ sustainability.

According to her, the last comprehensive, industry-wide competition study conducted by the Commission was concluded in 2013, while subsequent studies focused on specific services and market segments.

Mohammed explained that developments in technology, market structure and consumer behaviour now necessitated a holistic reassessment of competition across the telecommunications value chain.

She said the study was diagnostic and evidence-based, stressing that it was not designed to pre-judge outcomes or single out any operator.

Also speaking, Akolawole Odunlami, Director, Strategy, PwC Network, said the study was timely, given the slowing growth and structural shifts in the global telecommunications industry.

Odunlami said the global telecoms sector was projected to reach about 1.3 trillion dollars by 2028, but growth had slowed to about two to three per cent annually, compared to about four per cent year-on-year before the COVID-19 pandemic.

He noted that while subscriber numbers in sub-Saharan Africa continued to increase, most operators were experiencing declining average revenue per user (ARPU), intensifying competition and placing pressure on traditional business models.

According to him, consumer behaviour has changed, with users now digital-first and seeking experiences powered by connectivity rather than just voice or data services.

“Today’s consumers are not just buying data; they are looking for digital experiences such as entertainment, financial services, self-service applications and social connectivity, with data serving as the backbone,” Odunlami said.

He said globally, telecommunications operators were rethinking their business models by integrating lifestyle services into their platforms, allowing users to access utilities, health services and fintech offerings through mobile applications.

Odunlami added that Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms such as WhatsApp and Microsoft Teams had shifted traditional voice and messaging revenues, making data the primary driver of communication and service delivery.

He said the evolution of technology, including the rollout of 5G and future 6G networks, would further reshape competitive dynamics.

Odunlami noted that, however, adoption in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa remained constrained by infrastructure gaps, low investment in research and development, and slow uptake of 5G-enabled devices.

According to him, short to medium-term 5G adoption in sub-Saharan Africa was projected at 14 per cent to 17 per cent, significantly below global averages, underscoring the need for policy and investment support.

Odunlami said the NCC-PwC study would assess market dynamics, identify sources of market power, and provide evidence-based recommendations to promote fair competition, innovation and service quality.

He added that the study would rely on accurate, timely and complete data submission by stakeholders, with confidentiality assured under existing non-disclosure agreements.

The NCC said the findings of the study would guide proportionate, forward-looking regulatory interventions aimed at preventing anti-competitive practices, protecting consumers and ensuring the long-term stability of Nigeria’s telecom sector.

The post NCC begins competition study to address market dominance in telecoms appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

President of ATCON, Mr Tony Emoekpere, gave a comprehensive outlook of the industry in 2026, while speaking with our correspondent in Lagos.

He said that the sector is emerging in 2026, with renewed confidence, underpinned by combined efforts of industry players, regulator, and the government, to deepen digital inclusion.

Reflecting on 2025, he described the year as being a period defined by careful capital discipline and stabilisation.

According to him, the industry did not retreat in spite of economic challenges like rising energy costs, foreign exchange volatility, equipment import pressures, and Right-of-Way (RoW) challenges.

‘’Instead, telecom operators tower companies, and internet service providers focused on densifying networks in high demand corridors, transitioning to solar and hybrid energy systems to reduce diesel dependency.

‘’According to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria crossed a landmark milestone in 2025, with broadband penetration exceeding 50 per cent’’, he said.

Emoekpere said that this growth was fueled by recorded high data consumption, as services like digital payments, streaming and cloud services, became embedded in everyday life.

He credited the NCC for playing a confidence building role, by maintaining transparent industry reporting, enforcing Quality of Service (QoS) standards, and managing spectrum efficiency.

The ATCON boss said that the regulator helped to preserve investors’ confidence.

“On the policies, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, led by ‘Bosun Tijani, advanced several strategic initiatives which includes a proposed 90,000 km open-access national fibre backbone.

“Others are Project 774, aimed at expanding rural connectivity through the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) scaling digital skills development in AI, cybersecurity, and software development.

“If 2025 was about endurance, 2026 must be about execution, speed, and scale, driven by rising digital demand from fintech and AI workloads.

“The industry plans to intensify investment in data centres and last-mile broadband access (FTTH and FWA),” he said

According to him, a critical factor for success in 2026 will be the visible enforcement of a critical national infrastructure designation for telecom assets.

Our correspondent reports that Emoekpere, consequently, called for a coordinated action, to protect fibre routes and towers, from infrastructure risks, alongside harmonisation of RoW.

He also underscored the need for the reduction of multiple taxation.

He said that ATCON would champion an industry-led infrastructure expansion, advocate for open access networks and fair wholesale pricing, and amplify the voice of indigenous operators.

The ATCON President noted that with regulatory stability and policy execution which aligns with market realities, 2026 is set to mark a new phase of accelerated growth for Nigeria’s digital economy.

The post ATCON forecasts major growth, big 2026 for Telecom Sector appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

Sunil Taldar, Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa said this in a statement on Friday.

He explained that the free service marked spam messages by adding the tag “SPAM Alert” and gives real-time updates, removing the need for customers to download extra applications to manage spam.

He said the service had been rolled out in 13 of the company’s 14 markets including Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, Gabon, Congo Brazzaville, Malawi, Madagascar, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, Chad and Niger.

He added that Seychelles would launch soon.

Taldar said that during the review period, Kenya recorded the highest volume with 68 million spam messages flagged, Tanzania followed with 47 million and Zambia with 33 million.

Taldar said there had been a 12 per cent overall reduction in spam messages since the launch of the service, with Nigeria recording the highest drop of 84 per cent.

He said Airtel Africa is proud to pioneer an advanced solution to tackle spam messages, which had become a major concern in Africa as more people used smartphones.

“This free service is another demonstration of our commitment to continue to innovate and to provide customers with a safer network and better experience,” he said.

Taldar added that the spam alert service used AI to study SMS usage patterns and frequency of senders in real time before classifying a message as spam.

The post Airtel Africa detects 205m spam SMS in 6 months with AI appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

The Chief Executive Officer the company, Dr Karl Toriola, said this in a paper entitled “Toward a United AI Strategy for Africa” which he presented during a plenary session at the 2025 Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX).

The theme of the on-going four-day event is: “Building Continental Digital Foundations for Equitable AI Development”.

Our correspondent reports that while the summit would hold in Abuja between Sept. 1, and Sept. 2, exhibition would hold in Lagos from Sept. 3 to Sept. 4

Toriola said that Nigeria needed to invest in data infrastructure, power supply, and skills development to support AI growth in the country.

He said the country required patience and capacity to build and implement AI solutions to maximise its potential.

“I would love to see a headline that says, Nigeria has articulated a clear strategy on how to advance artificial intelligence.

“I would like to read that it has harnessed the resources, both private and public, and is executing them with discipline and labour,” he said.

Toriola said that Nigeria had faced a significant gap in data centre capacity, with an estimated 90-megawatt gap.

The CEO identified the country’s poor power supply as a major challenge, adding that AI data centres required massive amounts of energy, equivalent to one nuclear power plant per data centre.

He advised that the country should build sovereign data ecosystems, adding that it will require computing infrastructure collectively.

“There is about a 90-megawatt gap in terms of data centre capacity today. It is estimated that data consumption from AI will be 16-fold of what we are consuming today.

“What we, as a nation, are going to try to do is to build sovereign data ecosystems, which requires computing infrastructure collectively. We do have some connectivity, but it is a long way to go.

“AI data centre that are being built today are of the scale that they need one nuclear power plant per data center. And that is where we have a huge gap,” he said.

According to him, MTN will continue to invest, execute and deliver solutions to consumers, Small, Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and large enterprises that enable them to tap into AI opportunities.

Our correspondent reports that industry players across the continent and beyond, academia, governments, companies, among other entities are participating in the programme.

The post MTN seeks collaboration on opportunities, challenges of AI appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

Many Nigerians have complained about what they describe as high tariffs and expensive data by telecom providers.

Maida said during an interactive session with our correspondent on Tuesday in Abuja that the commission was determined to protect the interest of telecom services and mobile data users nationwide.

He said that NCC was adopting information disclosure strategies, rooted in behavioural economics to nudge service providers toward improved performance.

He said that a public map for network performance would be launched in September, offering transparent access to real-time quality metrics, like download speed and latency.

“This is a quarterly’s network performance reports based on crowd-sourced user data.

“It is also an expansion of accountability beyond mobile network operators to include co-location service providers (TACOs) responsible for infrastructure reliability,” he said.

He said event reflected the commission’s promise to engage more regularly and meaningfully, with key stakeholders, particularly the media.

“We see corporate governance as a powerful lever for industry transformation. Transparent, well-governed companies attract investment and perform better.

“We are setting the foundation for a Nigerian telecom company that is wholly owned, well-run, and globally competitive,” he told newsmen.

Maida outlined several significant developments in the industry, including tariff adjustments and simplification, inauguration of corporate governance guidelines and the successful conclusion of the National Identity Number (NIN) to SIM linkage audit.

“The resolution of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) debt issues, transition to end-user billing and the introduction of the Major Incident Reporting Portal, are part of this development,” he said.

Speaking on the progress toward revising the National Telecom Policy, Maida said that the traditional model based on rigid rules and enforcement, was no longer sufficient in today’s digital landscape.

“In the early 2000s, we were regulating voice and text. Now we are in the information age, with over 1,000 licenses under our purview.

“Scaling the old model is impractical. We are now complementing regulation with transparency and data-driven competition,” he said.

According to him, the NCC’s internal analysis finds strong correlations between good governance practices and better financial performance, service delivery and regulatory compliance.

For failed network top-ups, he informed that a joint NCC-CBN task force had developed a new operational framework to standardise electronic recharge processes.

He said that NCC commissioned Tier-1 audit firms, to assess operators’ billing systems, for Perceived Data Depletion.

According to him, findings showed no systemic manipulation of consumer data, pointing instead to factors such as background app usage and unoptimised device settings.

He emphasised that all the initiatives were ultimately in service of a stronger, more transparent, consumer-centric telecom ecosystem.

“We are not trying to punish anyone. We want the industry to grow, so consumers are happier, operators perform better and the government benefits from a broader tax base,” he said.

He expressed confidence in the sector’s potential and reaffirmed the NCC’s commitment to a collaborative, forward-looking regulatory approach.

On her part, Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Freda Bruce-Bennett, shared practical tips to help Nigerians manage their data usage more effectively, including turning off autoplay on social media apps and limiting background data consumption.

Mrs Nnenna Ukoha, Director, Public Affairs, NCC described the media as critical stakeholders whose roles in public engagement could not be taken for granted.

“You are the ones that transmit and convey our transformative policies to the people of Nigeria.

Therefore, I invite you to be open and talk to us freely. We are here to collaborate with you,” she said.

The post Mobile Data: NCC commits to consumer protection, transparency appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, said this during an interactive session with our correspondent in Lagos on Friday.

He explained that the policy shift, introduced in January and February 2025, allowed mobile network operators to adjust tariffs by up to 50 per cent after nearly a decade of stagnant pricing.

“This act alone, has allowed investments to flow in. We will be revealing more specific figures in the coming weeks after verification, but we are talking about over a billion dollars worth of investment in 2025 alone,” he said.

Maida said that the move restored investor confidence in the sector and reversed a trend of under investment that had slowed network growth and service quality improvements.

According to him, the imbalance in the value chain, where tower companies can adjust prices annually for inflation and exchange rates but mobile network operators cannot had discouraged new investment.

“This is an industry that requires continuous investment. The world is moving ahead, and if we do not create the right conditions, we will be left behind,” he said.

The NCC boss said the commission decided to return to the guiding principles of the 2000 Telecom Policy and the 2003 Communications Act, which allowed market forces to determine fair prices while maintaining healthy competition to protect consumers.

He disclosed that some of the new equipment ordered by operators had started arriving in the country since June, with network expansion and upgrade works already underway.

“We are closely tracking the rollout. We hold weekly calls with operators to monitor how many sites are being built, upgrades done and we step in when they encounter challenges with authorities,” Maida said.

He added that the investments would help address capacity challenges, improve service quality, and ensure Nigeria remained competitive in the global telecom landscape.

The NCC boss also highlighted operational cost pressures facing the industry, noting that operators consumed over 40 million litres of diesel monthly to power their base stations, with most of the product imported.

He said the industry’s dependence on foreign exchange (FX) for importing all network hardware and software added to the challenge, as no major telecom equipment was manufactured locally.

“There is nothing you need to build or upgrade a network today in Nigeria that you can buy locally. Everything from the hardware to the software has to be imported and that requires FX,” Maida said.

On protecting telecoms infrastructure, he said the commission was working with the Office of the National Security Adviser to develop a framework for rapid response forces tailored to the unique challenges in each region.

He noted that threats vary by location, with some coastal areas requiring community-based engagement, while high-insecurity zones may need stronger civil defence presence.

According to him, the protection strategy goes beyond force and focuses on addressing structural issues that make telecom sites vulnerable, such as poor security measures, generator theft and community disputes.

The post Telecom sector gets $1bn investment boost after pricing review – NCC appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

This is contained in a statement by the Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Dinesh Balsingh, on Thursday in Lagos.

Balsingh said the service would give customers quick and easy access to Airtel services without needing to visit a shop or call a customer care line.

“With Airtel Assist, we are leveraging technology to serve real people with real needs in real-time. It is fast, secure, and always available”, he said.

Balsingh explained that Airtel Assist would allow customers to check their balance, buy airtime or data, make payments, solve network problems, and get personalised help through a WhatsApp chat.

Also, Airtel’s Director of Marketing, Mr. Ismail Adeshina, said the service was created to make life easier for customers.

“Everything about Airtel Assist is designed to help customers do things faster and more simply.

“Whether it is checking data balance during a chat, buying data on the move, or fixing an issue late at night, Airtel Assist is always ready”, he said.

Adeshina said customers could start using Airtel Assist by sending a WhatsApp message to +2348028800000 or clicking the link on Airtel’s official platforms.

The post Airtel launches WhatsApp self-service platform for customers appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

The Executive Vice chairman of the Commission, Dr Aminu Maida, made this known during the inauguration of the 2025 Guidelines on Corporate Governance on Wednesday in Lagos.

Maida said the new framework was designed to ensure long-term sustainability for telecom businesses, networks, as well as instill investor confidence.

“Corporate governance is no longer a soft requirement. It is now strategically imperative, especially in a sector that is central to Nigeria’s digital future and exposed to cybersecurity threats, climate risks, energy shocks and rising consumer expectations,” Maida said.

He explained that under the new rules, telecom licensees would be required to implement balanced board structures, improve transparency, and establish tighter internal control systems.

The NCC boss noted that members of boards were expected to include executive, non-executive, and independent directors with demonstrated expertise in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and cybersecurity.

He added that the commission now formally recognised regulatory officers within licensees’ operations as key contacts for compliance monitoring.

“A major highlight of the new framework is the emphasis on internal audits and risk control.

“Operators are expected to conduct structured risk assessments and empower internal audit functions to ensure oversight.

“The guidelines mandate submission of mid-year and annual compliance reports, which must be certified by the board of directors.

“Our goal is simple, to ensure that telecom boards and management are properly structured to provide reliable services, protect infrastructure, and respond to the dynamic challenges of the industry,” Maida said.

According to him, the commission’s internal review shows a clear link between strong governance and superior performance in the telecoms sector.

“We conducted a comprehensive analysis, and the results were compelling.

“Companies with robust governance frameworks consistently outperformed others in areas of service delivery, financial management, and regulatory compliance,” the NCC boss noted.

While acknowledging that tighter regulations may initially disrupt some operators, the commission stressed that the long-term benefits would outweigh any temporary challenges.

Maida reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to stakeholder engagement, capacity-building and technical support, while stressing that accountability would be strictly enforced.

“With over 200 million active subscriptions, the telecoms sector is now considered essential to Nigeria’s economy, supporting digital infrastructure across finance, education, healthcare, and government services,” he said.

Maida said that the new governance framework was necessary to keep pace with the sector’s scale and complexity.

He emphasised that the guidelines would be rolled out in phases, depending on the category of licence held, but stressed that enforcement would be rigorous.

“Operators must view this not as a regulatory burden but as a blueprint for long-term value creation.

“Where there is non-compliance, the commission will not hesitate to apply sanctions after remediation windows close,” he said.

In his goodwill message, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), commended the NCC for updating the guidelines to reflect current realities.

He noted that some of the current realities reflected included Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) priorities.

Ajogwu, who led the committee that produced the first Code of Corporate Governance for the telecoms sector in 2014, described the revised guidelines as timely and critical.

Also, Titus Osawe, Coordinating Director, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), also lauded the initiative, describing it as a key step towards strengthening good governance in a vital sector of the economy.

Osawe noted that industry-specific governance frameworks helped reinforce accountability and investor confidence.

The post NCC introduces stricter governance framework for telecoms operators appeared first on NEWSVERGE.