In 2025, mobile subscribers in Nigeria and other parts of Africa buy airtime using credit, with borrowing totaling roughly $3.1–$3.18 billion across emerging markets, according to reports cited by The Punch and Legit.ng. Both sources say the figure reflects demand for mobile-based credit products and notes that Africa represents a large share of the market. The reporting also links the growth in airtime-on-credit activity to fintech lending expansion, with Legit.ng highlighting increased activity from firms such as Optasia as part of a broader shift toward easier access to credit via mobile and data services. The Punch frames the market as borrowers purchasing airtime on credit, while Legit.ng adds that the lending growth is tied to rising demand for these services and broader fintech participation. Together, the accounts describe a growing credit-based mobile ecosystem in Nigeria and across Africa during 2025, with total credit usage in the single-digit billions of dollars range. The two outlets present slightly different totals, but both refer to the same general scale and momentum.