Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, will begin charging businesses for customer-service messages sent through the WhatsApp Business Platform from October 1, 2026.
The company will also introduce charges for utility messages sent in response to users within an open 24-hour customer-service window.
The changes mean businesses that rely on WhatsApp for customer support and automated communications will face additional operational costs.
According to a notice on the WhatsApp Business Platform, Meta said it would introduce per-message charges for service messages, which have been free since November 1, 2024.
“Effective October 1, 2026, Meta will charge on a per-message basis for all service messages, consistent with how Meta charges for template messages. These messages have not been charged since November 1, 2024,” the company said.
Meta also announced charges for utility messages sent while the 24-hour customer-service window remains open.
“Effective October 1, 2026, Meta will charge on a per-message basis for utility messages sent in response to users (within an open 24-hour customer service window). These messages have not been charged since July 1, 2025.”
Service messages are non-template replies sent by businesses after customers initiate conversations.
Utility messages, meanwhile, cover transactional communications such as payment confirmations, account updates, order confirmations and delivery notifications.
The 24-hour customer-service window will remain in place. However, businesses will no longer be able to send free service messages after the window closes.
The new charges will apply to businesses using the WhatsApp Business Platform, formerly known as the WhatsApp Business API. The platform is designed for companies handling customer communications at scale.
Banks, fintech companies, telecommunications operators, e-commerce platforms and other businesses using WhatsApp for customer support and automated communications are among those that could be affected.
Meta has not yet announced the specific rates that will apply from October. Current pricing references indicate that utility-type messages sent to Nigerian numbers cost about $0.0101 per message, equivalent to roughly ₦13.50 at an exchange rate of ₦1,337 to $1 as of August 28, 2026.
Businesses will need to confirm the applicable October rate when Meta publishes its final rate card.
Meta has also warned businesses and solution providers to add a valid payment method to their accounts before the charges take effect.
“For any Solution Provider or directly-integrated businesses that does not have a payment method on file by September 30, 2026, Meta will stop delivering service messages as of when they become charged on October 1, 2026,” the company said.
The move marks another step in Meta’s shift towards per-message pricing on the WhatsApp Business Platform.
Since July 2025, utility messages sent within an open customer-service window have been free, while service messages have been free since November 2024.
