Meta fights $220M fine, warns of exit what happens to SME

A $220 million fine against Meta by Nigeria’s Competition Tribunal may lead to WhatsApp’s shutdown in the country a move that could destabilize millions of small businesses.

Meta, which owns WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, is contesting the fine, citing legal ambiguity. But Nigeria’s FCCPC insists the penalty follows a 38-month probe into alleged data privacy breaches and abuse of market dominance.

Entrepreneurs like Oluwafayokunmi Olutomiwa, who runs a ₦100m digital business solely via WhatsApp and Instagram, say a shutdown would cripple operations. “It’s how I close sales,” she said.

For digital marketers like Caroline Wabara of WAB Digital, WhatsApp functions as a virtual office, with client onboarding and training happening right on the app.

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With over 51 million users, WhatsApp is deeply embedded in Nigeria’s SME ecosystem—from food vendors to fintechs. Transitioning to other platforms would mean rebuilding customer bases and investing in new systems.

Experts warn that Meta’s exit could spark job losses, disrupt trade, and set back digital entrepreneurship, especially for Gen Z business owners.

While regulators remain firm, business owners hope for a compromise that keeps Meta’s platforms active and their businesses afloat.