Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 - Phones

Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 - Phones - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum › Science/Technology › Phones › Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 (20152 Views)

Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by Kingzjayzee(op): 5:19pm On Aug 28

WhatsApp will begin charging businesses for customer replies sent through its Business Platform from October 1, 2026, in a move that could increase communication costs for businesses that rely heavily on the messaging service.

The new pricing will apply to businesses using the WhatsApp Business Platform, also known as the WhatsApp Business API, rather than individuals or businesses using the standard WhatsApp Business app.

Under the new model, [businesses will pay for delivered service messages that were previously free under WhatsApp’s customer service window.

For businesses in Nigeria, a chargeable utility-type message to a Nigerian number will cost about $0.0101, or roughly N14, based on the exchange rate used in the report.

Marketing messages will cost considerably more, at about $0.062, or approximately N84 per message.

The charges could become significant for companies that handle large volumes of customer interactions through WhatsApp.

For instance, a Nigerian fintech sending 500,000 chargeable messages at $0.0101 per message could incur about $5,050 in Meta messaging fees alone. Additional charges from business solution providers or software platforms may also apply.

The development is particularly important for Nigerian businesses because WhatsApp has become an important channel for customer service, sales, order updates, payment confirmations and other business communications.

Banks, fintechs, airlines, retailers, telecommunications companies and small businesses increasingly use WhatsApp to communicate with customers at scale.

Meta has been moving towards a per-message pricing structure since July 2025, when it replaced its previous conversation-based pricing model for business-initiated template messages.

However, service messages remained free within the 24-hour customer service window. The October 2026 change will remove some of that free treatment.

The new model means businesses will need to pay closer attention to the number and type of messages they send through the platform.

For small businesses and startups, the cost could be particularly significant where WhatsApp serves as both a customer service channel and a sales platform.

The charges are based on the recipient’s country and the category of message, meaning businesses operating across different African markets will face different rates.

The development also underscores how WhatsApp has evolved from a simple messaging application into an important business infrastructure platform across Africa.

As businesses become increasingly dependent on the service for customer communication, Meta is turning that commercial activity into a recurring source of revenue.

For African startups and SMEs, the new charges could encourage businesses to become more selective about the messages they send and consider which customer interactions genuinely need to happen through the WhatsApp Business Platform.

The change does not mean ordinary WhatsApp users will suddenly be charged for sending messages, nor does it introduce a general fee for using the standard WhatsApp Business application. The affected businesses are those using Meta’s Business Platform for customer communication at scale.

https://thesun.ng/whatsapp-to-charge-businesses-per-message-from-october-1/

5 Likes 1 Share

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by Bayoonanuga: 5:33pm On Aug 28

They'll blame tinubu for it

Kingzjayzee:
WhatsApp will begin charging businesses for customer replies sent through its Business Platform from October 1, 2026, in a move that could increase communication costs for businesses that rely heavily on the messaging service.

The new pricing will apply to businesses using the WhatsApp Business Platform, also known as the WhatsApp Business API, rather than individuals or businesses using the standard WhatsApp Business app.

Under the new model, [businesses will pay for delivered service messages that were previously free under WhatsApp’s customer service window.

For businesses in Nigeria, a chargeable utility-type message to a Nigerian number will cost about $0.0101, or roughly N14, based on the exchange rate used in the report.

Marketing messages will cost considerably more, at about $0.062, or approximately N84 per message.

The charges could become significant for companies that handle large volumes of customer interactions through WhatsApp.

For instance, a Nigerian fintech sending 500,000 chargeable messages at $0.0101 per message could incur about $5,050 in Meta messaging fees alone. Additional charges from business solution providers or software platforms may also apply.

The development is particularly important for Nigerian businesses because WhatsApp has become an important channel for customer service, sales, order updates, payment confirmations and other business communications.

Banks, fintechs, airlines, retailers, telecommunications companies and small businesses increasingly use WhatsApp to communicate with customers at scale.

Meta has been moving towards a per-message pricing structure since July 2025, when it replaced its previous conversation-based pricing model for business-initiated template messages.

However, service messages remained free within the 24-hour customer service window. The October 2026 change will remove some of that free treatment.

The new model means businesses will need to pay closer attention to the number and type of messages they send through the platform.

For small businesses and startups, the cost could be particularly significant where WhatsApp serves as both a customer service channel and a sales platform.

The charges are based on the recipient’s country and the category of message, meaning businesses operating across different African markets will face different rates.

The development also underscores how WhatsApp has evolved from a simple messaging application into an important business infrastructure platform across Africa.

As businesses become increasingly dependent on the service for customer communication, Meta is turning that commercial activity into a recurring source of revenue.

For African startups and SMEs, the new charges could encourage businesses to become more selective about the messages they send and consider which customer interactions genuinely need to happen through the WhatsApp Business Platform.

The change does not mean ordinary WhatsApp users will suddenly be charged for sending messages, nor does it introduce a general fee for using the standard WhatsApp Business application. The affected businesses are those using Meta’s Business Platform for customer communication at scale.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/thesun.ng/whatsapp-to-charge-businesses-per-message-from-october-1/%3famp

13 Likes

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by Stephen0mozzy: 7:46pm On Aug 28

Bayoonanuga:
They'll blame tinubu for it

Every now and then, just be humble enough to keep quayet in public.

153 Likes 4 Shares

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by givedemwotowoto: 7:46pm On Aug 28

They first suck you in, you become dependent, then they ask you to pay

184 Likes 9 Shares

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by Image123(m): 7:46pm On Aug 28

When telegram never die?

106 Likes 9 Shares

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by Dagger111(m): 7:46pm On Aug 28

WhatsApp don't do this? Whatsapping nah? Means you guys have to monetize your App then.

2 Likes

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by HacheNoire: 7:47pm On Aug 28

Bayoonanuga:
They'll blame tinubu for it

Exactly!

They will tell you His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) should have negotiated with Mark on behalf of the world.

They could even say it was because of the Nigerian economy that Mark had to bring up such.

Those lots, you can never estimate lengths they can go to showcase their hate for the demigod.

13 Likes

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by yommitte00(m): 7:47pm On Aug 28

Wahala what shall we do now? This is ridiculous o. They should make it free abeg. It's too outrageous to use. God dey o

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by GoodBoi1(m): 7:47pm On Aug 28

News for WhatsApp-based startups

3 Likes

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by Mattswaggz: 7:48pm On Aug 28

Everybody is just getting greedier these days.......Money is being given more power as time goes by......at this rate, only God knows how it will affect the society in the long run. .

9 Likes 1 Share

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by Stephen0mozzy: 7:48pm On Aug 28

Clarification.... It's for businesses using the API... Not just the WhatsApp Business App.

The APIs are often used to automate Whatsapp communications, bots and even OTPs.

Well, time to switch to Telegram API.

39 Likes 1 Share

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by buharibanjo(m): 7:48pm On Aug 28

As Mark don pay fine of 13billion e wan recover am back by force

50 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by dydx2020(m): 7:49pm On Aug 28

People will start looking for alternative as soon as possible. Telegram, 2go e.t.c

27 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by MyExpression(m): 7:49pm On Aug 28

Omoooooo x10000000000

Shey they said WhatsApp would be FREE FOREVER

1 Like 2 Shares

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by MyExpression(m): 7:52pm On Aug 28

GoodBoi1:
News for WhatsApp-based startups

WhatsApp and social media based startups are the ones sustaining this nation in more ways than one

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by Mattswaggz: 7:53pm On Aug 28

dydx2020:
People will start looking for alternative as soon as possible. Telegram, 2go e.t.c

Wouldn't be as easy as you think...... especially for people who have built their base of WhatsApp....moving their entire base out wouldn't be that easy and it would be risky as well.

3 Likes

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by DystopianMuse(f): 7:54pm On Aug 28

GIVE FOR FREE THEN MONITIZE LATER. 😂

ZUCK WILL REVERSE THIS STRATEGY BY THE TIME META SHARES PLUNGES LIKE NO TOMORROW .

18 Likes 1 Share

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by dododawa1: 7:55pm On Aug 28

Na SOUTH AFRICAN

GET

Whatapp ?

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by GreenCovering: 7:55pm On Aug 28

This doesn't look nice because chat bots from service providers like leo (uba), ziva(zenith) or GTAssistant etc may start billing charges on their users sad

6 Likes 1 Share

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by omoredia: 7:56pm On Aug 28

Till 2mrw the wise will continue to eat from the foolish

8 Likes 1 Share

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by dododawa1: 7:56pm On Aug 28

Bayoonanuga:
They'll blame tinubu for it

WHO BE PRESIDENT OF THE NATION ?

1 Like

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by Tenses: 7:57pm On Aug 28

Bayoonanuga:
They'll blame tinubu for it

Which president begin to tax Whatsapp in Nigeria?

tinubu is a curse to business owners in Nigeria.

4 Likes 1 Share

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by Sleekfingers: 7:58pm On Aug 28*

I don't use WhatsApp app ....they can increase it to $100 per message.

1 Like

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by bluefilm: 7:58pm On Aug 28

Stephen0mozzy:
Clarification.... It's for businesses using the API... Not just the WhatsApp Business App.

The APIs are often used to automate Whatsapp communications, bots and even OTPs.

Well, time to switch to Telegram API.

You think telegram will not follow their step?

1 Like

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by Tjra: 7:58pm On Aug 28*

According to Obedients, Only Peter Obi can stop this nonsense. Lets vote him so Elon Musk can reverse it.

1 Like 1 Share

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by Eriokanmi: 8:00pm On Aug 28

For those using WhatsApp platform to promote their business. My own na to send messages and view people's statuses

2 Likes

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by omoredia: 8:00pm On Aug 28

Nothing is free, the fooIs dont know when payment will be due.

1 Like

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by Leonard04: 8:00pm On Aug 28

Just like how grok lured people to their video generation.

Thank God for veo3

givedemwotowoto:
They first suck you in, you become dependent, then they ask you to pay

5 Likes

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by PlasmaTV: 8:01pm On Aug 28

Bayoonanuga:
They'll blame tinubu for it

Can you just try to shut your mouth?

3 Likes 1 Share

Re: Whatsapp To Charge Businesses Per Message From October 1 by psalmsjob: 8:02pm On Aug 28

Image123:
When telegram never die?

Can telegram offer you what whatsapp offers you? Or does Telegram have the same number of users as whatsapp? The point for a business is to chat with your user in the app they use and whatsapp have more users than Telegram for a business targeting Nigerians...Telegram is a spamming platform.

Using email is the best bet if your business cannot afford the charges

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