Meta to charge WhatsApp Business Platform users per message from October 2026

Meta will implement per-message charges for certain communications on the WhatsApp Business Platform starting October 1, 2026. This policy change targets large-scale operators using the API for customer service, rather than individual users or small businesses using the standard WhatsApp Business app.

The new pricing structure includes charges for service messages sent within a 24-hour customer service window and utility messages, such as payment confirmations or order updates. Marketing messages, which are already charged, will continue to carry costs.

In Kenya, utility and service messages are expected to cost approximately $0.0040 per delivered message. In Nigeria, utility messages are projected to cost about $0.0101, while marketing messages could reach $0.062 each. Ghana will also see changes, with marketing messages costing roughly $0.062. These costs are expected to impact high-volume sectors such as banking, fintech, e-commerce, and logistics, where businesses rely heavily on the platform for automated alerts and customer engagement.