MTN Nigeria has reported a very strong start to 2026. The company’s service revenue jumped by 41.8% in the first three months of the year. This growth happened even as the firm faced new government rules for its digital lending services.
Record Revenue and More Users
The company’s latest financial report shows that it earned ₦1.49 trillion in service revenue during the first quarter. This success is built on a massive and growing group of users:
• Total Subscribers: The network now has 89.5 million mobile users, a 6.5% increase from last year.
• Data Growth: Revenue from internet data soared by 56.2%.
• Active Data Users: There are now 55 million people actively using MTN data in Nigeria.
• High Profits: The company’s profit after tax more than doubled to ₦355.5 billion.
Navigating New Lending Rules
While the money coming in is high, MTN is dealing with a tough regulatory environment. New rules called the DEON Regulations 2025 require a new type of license for digital lending. This affects services like XtraTime, which lets users borrow airtime and data.
In mid-April, MTN and other phone companies briefly stopped these credit services to follow the law. However, the Federal High Court later stepped in. The court ordered the companies to keep the services running while it decides if the new rules are legal.
Looking Forward
To protect its different parts, MTN plans to turn its fintech section into a separate company. This move should help the main phone business stay safe from changes in banking laws.
Even with high costs for fuel to run its towers, MTN remains the top player in Nigeria’s digital economy. The company continues to invest heavily in its network to meet the high demand for internet and mobile money.
