Brands/Products
Why Airtel Spam Alert Service is a Game Changer for Mobile Security
By Joan Aimuengheuwa
By embedding real-time spam alert at both the network and systems level, Airtel strengthens trust in telecom infrastructure, a foundational element for digital economies, ensuring cross-network security accountability, proving that telcos can and should take more responsibility for securing the digital environment, not just selling data plans.
Have you ever won a “N5 million giveaway” from a number you’ve never dialled? Or been warned that your BVN would be “blocked in 24 hours” unless you click a link? If you never fell for these, then congratulations, you’re a part of Nigeria’s club named, The National Association of Spam SMS Survivors.
That’s not a real club though, but seriously, in 2024 alone, fraud in Africa surged by 21%, with phishing and SMS scams responsible for nearly half (48%) of all incidents.
As revealed by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), the country’s financial sector lost over N52.26 billion to fraud, a 350% increase, over five years. This tells us that mobile networks are no longer used as just channels of communication, they are becoming active fields for criminals.
This is why Airtel’s launch of a Spam Alert Service in March 2025 couldn’t have been better timed. It is a commendable effort that also signifies in mobile security across Africa. It is beyond merely reacting to fraud; it appears to be preventing it in real time.
The Scale of the Problem
Nigeria is ranked 7th globally for spam SMS. Research shows that 87% of mobile users in the country receive unsolicited messages, many of which are fraudulent. Airtel itself reported that its internal analysis showed that 60% of its customers were receiving spam monthly.
These are not just annoying messages, they open the gates to fraud, asking users to click dangerous links or share sensitive data.
And while East Africa leads the continent with a 27% fraud rejection rate, West and Central Africa still struggle at 22%. The threat has gone beyond a telecoms issue, we can see it’s now an economic and societal one.
Airtel’s Intelligent Countermeasure
Airtel Africa, with over 150 million subscribers and operations in 14 countries, has responded with a network-level AI-powered Spam Alert Service.
While some members of the public have raised concerns over likely privacy breaches, Airtel has confirmed that the Artificial Intelligence in the backend of the Spam Alert Service does not read user messages. Instead, it analyses over 250 parameters including the frequency of the sender, message volume, link patterns, and geographical spread.
At its core, the service simply identifies and flags suspicious SMS messages in real time, labelling them as “Suspected SPAM” and alerting the recipient immediately. It requires no app download, no user configuration, and is automatically activated for all Airtel users, smartphone or feature phone. It’s a simple, although not easy, solution to a thorny problem.
Using a proprietary dual-layer protection system, one at the network level and another at the IT systems level, Airtel AI Spam Alert Service is reported to process over 1.5 billion messages in under two milliseconds.
Real Time Results
Between it launch in Nigeria on March 13 and May 20, 2025, just two months, the Spam Alert Service flagged 9,667,008 suspicious messages, according to Airtel reporting. That number includes 528,080 sent by userson the Airtel network (on-net) and 9,138,928 sent by users from other networks (off-net).
This staggering number indicates both the scale of fraud attempts and the importance of cross-network security measures. The Airtel system doesn’t just defend its own users, it monitors the messages entering the network from outside, offering an additional layer of safety for subscribers.
According to Airtel Nigeria CEO, Dinesh Balsingh, this innovation reiterates the strength of the telco’s AI-driven infrastructure in tackling the threat of spam and scam messages. “We understand that trust is the cornerstone of digital communication,” he stated, adding that, “This is why the AI is constantly learning, so as to keep pace with the changes in methods employed by spammers.”
Why This is a Game Changer
Network-Level Protection: Unlike most solutions that depend on user-side apps, Airtel’s service operates within its core infrastructure; it is always on and scanning, making it harder for threats to go undetected.
No User Action Required: There are no installations, updates, or settings for users to worry about.Every Airtel user, regardless of their phone type, gets protected by default.
Real-Time Alerts: The AI flags spam SMS in milliseconds, giving users feedback on potentially harmful messages as the messages arrive.
Scalable and Inclusive: Whether you’re using a basic feature phone in rural Tanzania or a smartphone in Lagos, you get the same level of protection, and this makes the service replicable in all of Airtel’s markets across Africa.
National Support and Expansion
Dr. Bosun Tijani, minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, endorsed the solution, commending Airtel for aligning with national priorities.He stressed that the Airtel Spam Alert Service demonstrates how artificial intelligence can enhance online security and economic empowerment.
Similarly, Dr. Aminu Maida, EVC/CEO of the industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), noted the sector-wide value, pointing out that it boosts consumer trust and directly supports national telecom security goals.
Following its success in Nigeria, the service has now expanded to Tanzania and Kenya, with a rollout planned for all 14 countries where Airtel operates.
Feedback from early users has been overwhelmingly positive. Many have reported improved personal awareness to SMS messages.
According to Balsingh, the AI Spam Alert Service is not a one-off solution, it is embedded in Airtel’s focus on integrating intelligent systems across its offerings while improving user experience. With threats becoming more sophisticated, “so will our solutions,” he said.
The company’s Spam Alert Service is a necessary evolution in how we think about mobile security, proactive, intelligent, and inclusive. Mobile phones are lifelines to finance, communication, and commerce, and this service does more than pinpoint spam, it restores user confidence.
And across the current digital space, confidence is indeed everything.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian government, through the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), has ordered an immediate investigation into the data processing activities of Chinese-owned e-commerce platform, Temu, over alleged violations of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA).
The decision raises fresh concerns about how foreign technology companies collect, store, and transfer Nigerians’ personal data.
In a press release dated February 16, the NDPC said its chief executive, Mr Vincent Olatunji, authorised the probe following mounting concerns around online surveillance, excessive personal data collection, lack of transparency, weak accountability mechanisms, and cross-border data transfers.
“The investigation of Temu was triggered by concerns around online surveillance through personal data processing, accountability, data minimisation requirement, transparency, duty of care and cross-border data transfer,” the statement read in part..
Preliminary findings by the commission indicate that Temu processes the personal data of an estimated 12.7 million Nigerian users, while serving about 70 million daily active users globally, raising serious questions about how Nigerians’ data are collected, stored, shared, and protected.
“The National Commissioner warned that processors who engage in processing activities on behalf of data controllers without verifying their compliance with the NDP Act may be liable under the NDP Act,” the Commission added.
Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and one of the continent’s fastest-growing digital markets with millions of its citizens relying on mobile apps, social media platforms, fintech services, and e-commerce sites for daily transactions often with little understanding of how their personal information is being used.
For Temu, this marks the latest government probe into its activities. The e-commerce company has faced investigations, lawsuits, and regulatory scrutiny across multiple continents, focusing primarily on data privacy, product safety, unethical labor practices, and unfair competition.
The European Commission opened formal proceedings against Temu in October 2024 and issued preliminary findings in July 2025, accusing the platform of failing to prevent the sale of illegal, unsafe, or counterfeit products while a 2023 US House Select Committee report highlighted an “extremely high risk” that products on Temu are made with forced labour.
Other countries including Germany, South Korea, South Africa, and Brazil have also probed into Temu’s activities.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
An opportunity has opened for cooks in the country to win something substantial for doing what they have passion for.
This is because an African media giant, Primedia, has brought the adaptation of the world’s most renowned reality television cooking show, MasterChef Nigeria, to the country.
A statement from the organisers disclosed that the winner would go away with N73 million and the coveted title of Nigeria’s first MasterChef.
Entries are now open for this life-changing opportunity, with the closing date on Friday, February 27, 2026.
“Home cooks who want to enter MasterChef Nigeria must be Nigerian citizens aged 18 or above, hold a valid passport, and have not earned a living as professional chefs. Interested applicants can submit their entries via www.masterchefnigeria.com, where the complete eligibility requirements and the application form are available. The show will air on DStv’s Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family.
The MasterChef format, created by Franc Roddam and first launched in 1990, has catapulted the careers of countless culinary stars across 720 countries while showcasing the unique food culture of each territory.
As recognised by the authoritative Guinness World Records, it is the most successful cookery show in the world. Over 700 seasons and 16,000 episodes have aired to date.
In MasterChef Nigeria, diverse home cooks from across the country will compete in a series of food-making challenges designed to test originality, technique, flavour mastery and presentation.
Throughout the season, these contestants will prepare both traditional and contemporary dishes, drawing inspiration from Nigeria’s rich culinary heritage while demonstrating global culinary standards.
At each challenge, the MasterChef Nigeria judges – esteemed Nigerian chefs who will be announced in due course – will evaluate the dishes to determine the best and least successful servings, and ultimately.
“MasterChef Nigeria is a major Nigerian television milestone that will celebrate the country’s exquisite cuisine, innovative food culture and vibrant culinary traditions as never before, whilst unearthing, mentoring and nurturing talent with the potential to become Nigeria’s next generation of distinguished chefs.
“We encourage all home cooks who want to make a name for themselves in the dynamic Nigerian food industry to enter this profound competition,” the Managing Director at Primedia Africa, Tamara van Eeckhoven, stated.
Also commenting, the chief executive of Africa Magic, Ms Kemi Omotosho, said, “MasterChef Nigeria reflects our continued commitment to investing in premium local content that showcases the richness of Nigerian culture and creativity to audiences across Africa and the world.”
On her part, the VP for the Middle East, Africa, Israel, Greece and Cyprus for Banijay Rights, Ms Sarah Mottershead, said, “We are incredibly proud this world-beating culinary format continues to expand its global footprint. Through our wider partnership with Primedia, Nigerian viewers are set for a real treat when they get their first taste of this iconic TV experience.”
The Group Media Manager for Tolaram, Adeola Amosun, said, “We are proud to partner with MasterChef Nigeria as the headline sponsor of its first-ever edition in the country. MasterChef is a globally respected platform that celebrates culinary excellence, creativity, and skill – values that align strongly with Power Oil’s commitment to quality and healthier cooking.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Global leader in transformational household products, d.light, has extended the warranty on its off-grid solar products to five years from two years.
The company, in a statement on Monday, said this reinforces its long-standing commitment to quality leadership, after it became the first company in the sector to introduce a 2-year warranty 15 years ago, a move that fundamentally shifted customer expectations and pushed the industry toward higher quality standards.
The energy firm disclosed that the new 5-year warranty underscores its confidence in its product quality and reinforces its mission to transform the lives of customers by delivering products they can trust for years to come.
The 5-year warranty is available on all d.light solar home systems and solar inverters, effective February 14, 2026, and will be extended to existing customers who purchased their product after December 31, 2023.
“At d.light, quality is not just a feature — it is a commitment to our customers. Launching the industry’s first 5-year warranty reflects nearly two decades of investment in engineering, manufacturing excellence, and real-world product testing.
“We believe customers who depend on our products every day deserve long-term reliability and peace of mind,” the Chief Product and Strategy Officer of d.light, Mr Karl Skare, said.
“Quality leadership requires long-term thinking. We have always believed that pushing quality standards forward is good for customers, good for partners, and good for the entire industry. This 5-year warranty is another step in our commitment to lead from the front,” he added.
Over the last 20 years, d.light has manufactured over 40 million solar products and continually invested in product design, supply chain quality control, and field performance monitoring.
The company’s products are designed to perform reliably in some of the world’s most demanding environments, supporting families and small businesses with dependable access to energy and digital connectivity.
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