Guaranty Trust Bank has introduced a new digital credit product aimed at addressing an everyday challenge for mobile users: lack of airtime when needed. Under this initiative, eligible customers can obtain small, short-term airtime loans at a cost of 2.95 per cent, a rate that sits well below many existing market alternatives and prepaid credit offerings.
The product, known as Quick Airtime Loan, is designed to give account holders immediate access to airtime when their prepaid credit runs out and they do not have sufficient funds in their account to purchase more. The service operates through the bank’s *737# USSD platform, a channel that is widely used by millions of customers for basic banking and utility services without needing internet access.
Customers can dial *737*90# to request airtime advances ranging from as little as ₦100 up to ₦10,000. The simplicity of the USSD process means there are no forms to fill or branches to visit; credit is granted immediately upon verification of eligibility and request. The feature is interoperable across all major Nigerian mobile networks, ensuring broad reach and convenience.
This offering reflects a clear trend among financial institutions to embed credit and other banking services directly into the digital behaviours of customers. The decision to price the credit at 2.95 per cent is significant because it positions the bank’s product as a cost-effective alternative to traditional third-party airtime credit services, which in some cases charge substantially higher effective rates.
According to the bank, Quick Airtime Loan was established to remove the friction customers face when they lose connectivity due to lack of airtime at critical moments. It targets the practical needs of users who rely on uninterrupted mobile connectivity for communication, business, and access to digital services.
In a formal announcement, GTBank’s Managing Director highlighted the broader strategic role of the product. “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs.” The statement emphasised the integration of the bank’s digital footprint with partner technology platforms to streamline delivery.
The quoted remarks also framed Quick Airtime Loan as part of the bank’s evolution into a diversified financial services group. “Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group.” This suggests a deliberate shift toward embedding financial services deeper into digital consumer behaviour rather than traditional branch-centric products.
Looking ahead, the bank plans to expand on this digital credit model by introducing similar on-demand facilities, including data credit solutions. This aligns with broader industry movements in Nigeria where lenders are progressively integrating small value credit products into daily digital interactions, reducing customer friction and improving financial inclusion.
The Quick Airtime Loan thus represents both a tactical response to a common customer need and a strategic step in GTBank’s digital lending trajectory. It is framed as an accessible, low-cost credit solution for airtime, with scope for future product extensions that can serve customers’ evolving needs in a connected economy.
