Technology
Nigeria Experiences Most Complex DDoS Campaigns in West Africa
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A new report has revealed that in the West African region in the second half of 2024, Nigeria suffered the most complex distributed denial of service (DDoS) campaigns, peaking at 22 distinct vendors used in a single attack, primarily TCP, Domain Name System (DNS) amplification and Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) flood DDoS attacks, also known as Ping flood attacks.
This information was made known by NETSCOUT in its recently released Threat Intelligence Report for July to December 2024.
The report revealed that in the region, Nigeria was exposed to 1,716 strikes, a significant drop from the 2,721 incidents seen in the first half of 2024.
In contrast, Mali experienced a more than ten-fold increase in 2H 2024 – up from just 115 seen previously between January and June 2024 to 1,637 in the second half of the year.
Liberia emerged as the next most affected country, recording 1,189 DDoS attacks, down slightly from 1,515 incidents in the first half of the year. Here, computer systems design services businesses were heavily targeted, suffering 360 attacks over the six-month period. The most frequently used attack vector was DNS amplification, with STUN amplification not far behind.
In Ghana, DDoS activity dropped significantly in the second half of the year, falling to only 917 attacks versus 4,753 earlier in the year. Three of the top four types of businesses under fire this time were ICT-related, namely web search portals and information services (317), wired telecommunications carriers (43) and computing infrastructure providers (4). Interestingly, footwear manufacturers ranked third, with 14 attacks over the second half of 2024.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo made its debut in NETSCOUT’s regional rankings, landing in fifth place with 879 reported attacks, comments Hamman. While the most significant attack peaked at a modest 0.74 Gbps, the complexity was notable – with up to 15 vectors used in a single attack. Computing infrastructure providers were primarily affected, but a single incident aimed at a satellite telecommunications organisation lasted for a gruelling 689 minutes.
By the same token, Cameroon may not have been the most targeted country, with 811 incidents, nor experienced the most sophisticated attacks, but statistics gathered show that the maximum bandwidth of its largest DDoS attack measured 200.43 Gbps – surpassing even Nigeria’s 148.77 Gbps.
Meanwhile, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and the Republic of the Congo all experienced lower attack frequencies, at 495, 341 and 329 incidents respectively. Of these three countries, Côte d’Ivoire faced the largest attack, at a bandwidth of 8.66 Gbps, with the primary target being – once again – wired telecommunications carriers. Following the ICT trend, Guinea’s wireless telecommunications carriers faced the most pressure, while in the Republic of the Congo, telecommunications resellers were hardest hit.
“Web search portals and all other information services bore the brunt of attacks in Mali, with an astounding average duration of 1,197 minutes per incident.
“This was followed by wired telecommunications carriers, which was also the most targeted industry at a global level during the same period, with more than 2.1 million incidents,” the Regional Director for Africa at NETSCOUT, Mr Bryan Hamman, stated.
He also disclosed that, “In Nigeria, the most frequently targeted sectors included telecommunications resellers and computing infrastructure providers. Beauty salons also featured on the country’s top ten list, alongside wired telecommunications carriers, then commercial banking, used merchandise retailers, tyre dealers, and household electronics wholesalers. This shows once again how threat actors adapt their strategies accordingly within different countries to target those industries that are strong in individual sovereign territories.”
“This latest data from NETSCOUT reinforces a critical truth for West Africa: DDoS attacks aren’t just increasing in frequency, but also in intensity and sophistication.
“While nations like Nigeria and Mali face a high volume of incidents, others are experiencing powerful, high-bandwidth attacks that can cripple essential services.
“As noted previously, the ICT sector remains firmly in the crosshairs across the continent in its entirety, making it vital for organisations across the region to prioritise proactive defence strategies, invest in continuous risk assessments and engage in broader cybersecurity collaboration to stay ahead of evolving threats,” he added.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Nigeria’s telecom landscape is about to be abuzz, with the much-anticipated launch of Flexmobile from Hazon Technologies.
Feelers indicate that the company will soon make a commercial debut, as the regulatory approval is now in the final stage.
It was gathered that the commercial rollout for Flexmobile should be June 1, 2026, as this depends on the authorisation of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which regulates the sector. The telco will have the distinctive 081 number series.
Early signals suggest a product ecosystem engineered around flexibility, data-centricity, and user control—an approach aligned with the evolving expectations of Nigeria’s digitally connected population.
For seamless operations, Flexmobile has sealed commercial agreements with its MVNE, IMBIL, and Airtel Nigeria.
“What lies ahead is more than a launch—it is the beginning of a new way to experience telecoms in Nigeria,” the chief executive of Hazon Technologies, Mr Victor ‘Gbenga Afolabi, said at a recent media briefing.
“After years of building the right partnerships and infrastructure, we are approaching a defining milestone. Flexmobile is designed to challenge conventions and introduce a smarter, more flexible telecom experience for Nigerians,” he added.
While full details of its offering will be unveiled at launch, Flexmobile is expected to introduce a suite of value-added services designed to go beyond traditional connectivity—positioning the brand at the intersection of telecoms, lifestyle, and digital enablement.
Backed by strong institutional partnerships and a robust MVNE framework, Flexmobile enters the market not just as another operator, but as a platform with the potential to reshape how telecom services are consumed and experienced.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A leading Information and Communications Technology (ICT) company, ipNX Nigeria, is joining forces with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to accelerate broadband penetration and drive inclusive digital growth across the country.
Recently, an executive delegation of the organisation paid a visit to the chairman of the regulatory agency, Mr Idris Olorunimbe.
“We are pleased to engage with the new chairman of the NCC and show our support as he takes on this important role.
“Strong leadership and a clear policy direction are essential to unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s digital economy.
“At ipNX, we remain committed to working closely with the commission and other stakeholders to expand broadband access, enhance connectivity in educational institutions, and ultimately bridge the digital divide.
“This collaboration will empower millions of Nigerians and further position the country as a leader in Africa’s technological evolution,” the Managing Director of ipNX Nigeria, Mr Ejovi Aror, said at the visit.
In his remarks, Mr Olorunnimbe thanked the firm for the show of support, reiterating the commission’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment for private sector participation in achieving universal broadband access across Nigeria.
This collaboration is expected to advance Nigeria’s transformation agenda in technology and help boost the federal government’s broadband agenda for the country.
ipNX Nigeria has said it remains at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge broadband and ICT solutions, and this engagement underscores its unwavering dedication to supporting national development through technology-driven initiatives.
By Adedapo Adesanya
MTN Nigeria is restructuring its fintech business by bringing in its parent company, MTN Group, as a major investor to help cushion against losses that have plagued the units.
Yesterday, MTN Nigeria announced that its parent firm, based in South Africa, will acquire a 60 per cent stake in MoMo Payment Service Bank Limited (MoMo PSB) and Y’ello Digital Financial Services (YDFS) Limited.
MoMo is a payment service bank business that provides financial services, including deposits, payments, transfers and digital wallets to individuals and small businesses in Nigeria via digital and mobile‑based platforms.
Y’ello Digital is a licensed super-agent that provides agency banking and financial services, including cash deposits, withdrawals and bill payments. It operates through the MoMo network.
In an explanatory note in respect of the proposed transaction on Tuesday, MTN Nigeria said the transaction will cost N95.5 billion and reduce its exposure to the “loss-making” financial technology (fintech) companies.
According to the Nigerian subsidiary, the acquisition, which the South African company will conduct through another subsidiary, MTN Group Fintech, is a restructuring that consists of two phases.
MTN Nigeria said the first phase is the acquisition of a 60 per cent stake in each of the two fintech companies by MTN Group.
“MTN Group Fintech will acquire a 60 per cent stake in each of the Fintech Companies through a combination of primary issuance of shares by the Fintech Companies and a secondary acquisition of shares in MoMo PSB from MTN Nigeria, at an agreed valuation of N95.5 billon (on an intra-group debt free and cash free basis), resulting in an implied capital injection of N152.06 billion payable in cash or consideration other than cash, or a combination (the “Investment Amount”) into the Fintech Companies; and MTN Nigeria will retain a 40% stake in the Fintech Companies,” the statement read.
According to the explanatory note, the second phase is the creation of a financial holding company named Fintech HoldCo, which will be 60 per cent owned by MTN Group Fintech and 40 per cent owned by MTN Nigeria.
The fintech units are currently loss-making, and this move will help MTN Nigeria to reduce financial risk and share future losses and investment burden. However, it will still keep a significant minority stake (40 per cent)
The network provider said the transaction phase will be completed with Fintech HoldCo acquiring the shares held by MTN Group Fintech and MTN Nigeria in MoMo and Y’ello Digital.
“Subject to obtaining the approval of the CBN, Fintech HoldCo will become the 100% owner of the shares in the Fintech Companies, having acquired all the shares held respectively by MTN Group Fintech and MTN Nigeria in the Fintech Companies,” the telecommunications company said.
MTN Nigeria said an annual general meeting (AGM) will be held on April 30, for shareholders to consider and, if thought fit, approve the proposed transaction.
The telco said the proposed transaction distributes operational risks, allowing MTN Group Fintech to share future capital risks, such as losses, regulatory burdens and execution risks.
In August 2024, MTN Nigeria acquired a 7.17 per cent stake held by Acxani Capital Limited in MoMo.
The acquisition increased MTN Nigeria’s total stake in MoMo to 100 per cent.
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