Stakeholders in Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital finance sectors have called for greater regulatory coordination to unlock the next phase of growth in digital credit services. They warn that policy uncertainty could slow innovation and limit access to financial services for millions of consumers who increasingly rely on technology-driven solutions for everyday needs.

The call follows months of regulatory and legal disputes over the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-traditional Consumer Lending (DEON) Regulations. These rules temporarily disrupted Airtime Credit Services before operators resumed the offering after the suspension of enforcement and the ongoing legal dispute over the Federal High Court judgment.

Industry players say the development highlights the need for clear regulatory boundaries and closer collaboration between agencies overseeing telecommunications and consumer protection. This is particularly important as digital financial services become more integrated with mobile technology.

Structural cooperation across sectors

Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria Chairman Gbenga Adebayo said the experience demonstrated that services sitting at the intersection of telecommunications and finance require structured regulatory cooperation rather than overlapping enforcement.

“The lesson is that Nigeria’s regulatory agencies need formal coordination protocols for services at the intersection of…