Maseru- The Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA), in collaboration with mobile network operators, has introduced a new consumer protection measure prohibiting minors from accessing airtime and bundle advance services.
The directive, which comes into effect on April 1, 2026, bars individuals under the age of 18 from borrowing airtime or data bundles—marking a significant step in aligning telecommunications services with child protection and financial wellness principles.
In its capacity as the statutory regulator of the telecommunications sector, the LCA is mandated to establish regulatory frameworks, approve products and services offered by licensed operators, and revise conditions governing those services. This latest intervention reflects a growing recognition that digital financial tools must be responsibly managed, particularly when accessed by vulnerable groups such as children.
Working alongside operators including Econet Telecom Lesotho and Vodacom Lesotho, the Authority has ensured that minors will no longer be eligible for airtime advances. While those who had already accessed such services prior to the implementation date will still be required to settle their outstanding balances, they will not be able to access any new advances thereafter.
LCA Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Thato Ponya, explained that the measure will be enforced through the integration of SIM registration data with airtime credit systems. This will allow operators to verify subscriber ages and automatically restrict access for underage users.
“The purpose of the measure is to promote responsible borrowing practices, protect minors who are not legally empowered to enter into credit-related obligations, and strengthen consumer protection, particularly for vulnerable users,” Ponya stated.
He noted that while airtime advance services offer short-term convenience, they operate as a form of micro-credit, often with associated fees and deferred repayment conditions that can unintentionally burden minors financially, bearing in mind that they do not have the capacity to enter into legally binding contracts.
Ponya further urged subscribers with outstanding balances to honour their obligations, emphasizing that debts incurred before April 1 remain valid. “Subscribers under 18 years of age will no longer be eligible to access airtime advance services, while adult subscribers will continue to access the service as normal, subject to existing terms and conditions,” he said.
The initiative is also anchored in existing legal frameworks, including the Child Protection and Welfare Act of 2011 and the Communications (Subscriber Identity Module) Registration Regulations, 2021, which define a child as any person under the age of 18 and recognise minors as a distinct category of SIM card users requiring special protection.
Speaking on behalf of mobile network operators, Econet Product Manager Ketja Nhlapo reaffirmed the sector’s commitment to child protection and responsible consumer practices. He highlighted that operators will continue to send reminders for outstanding balances and encouraged parents and guardians to assist minors in settling any existing debts.
A representative from Vodacom Lesotho added that system interfaces will be adjusted to remove airtime advance options from menus accessible to minors, ensuring full compliance with the new regulation.
Meanwhile, Vodacom’s financial services products such as Ntlatse and Nkalime, which allow users to access funds in advance through mobile money, fall under a different regulatory framework. According to Vodacom Public Relations Officer Lebohang Chefa, these services are governed by the Central Bank of Lesotho and are already inaccessible to minors.
This coordinated move by regulators and operators signals a broader shift towards safeguarding young people in an increasingly digital financial ecosystem. By limiting early exposure to debt, the LCA aims to foster a culture of financial discipline and protect Basotho children from the risks associated with informal credit.
Ultimately, the measure reinforces a critical principle: minors should not be placed in positions where they incur financial obligations they are neither legally nor developmentally equipped to manage.
