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Why Airtel Spam Alert Service is a Game Changer for Mobile Security

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Airtel Spam Alert Service

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.

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Temu Partners Dellyman to Scale Logistics Capabilities Across Nigeria

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Dellyman Temu

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

As part of its strategies to aggressively scale its logistics capabilities across key African markets, especially in Nigeria, the fast-growing global e-commerce powerhouse, Temu, has entered into a delivery partnership with Lagos-based logistics startup, Dellyman.

Through this collaboration, Temu customers in Nigeria will experience faster, more predictable, and more transparent deliveries, a critical factor in sustaining the platform’s customer satisfaction as order volumes continue to rise.

Dellyman’s technology-driven approach, spanning rider management, route optimisation, and customer visibility, played a central role in Temu’s selection process.

In the pilot phase, Dellyman completed more than 1,300 deliveries with a 95 per cent success rate, demonstrating its readiness to support large-scale e-commerce operations nationwide.

Founded in 2020, the firm has grown into one of Nigeria’s most reliable same-day and last-mile delivery platforms.

The company recently achieved a 10,000-order monthly delivery milestone in November 2025, contributing to a cumulative total of more than 300,000 lifetime deliveries.

This track record made Dellyman a strong fit for Temu, which is aggressively scaling logistics capabilities across key African markets.

“Our partnership with Temu is a major endorsement of the vision we set out with, to build Nigeria’s most reliable, scalable, and transparent last-mile delivery infrastructure.

“Achieving a 95 per cent delivery success rate during the pilot underscores our readiness to support high-volume e-commerce platforms.

“This collaboration shows that local startups can meet and exceed global standards when given the opportunity,” the chief executive of Dellyman, Mr Dare Ojo-Bello, said.

He further noted that the partnership represents more than operational growth as it signals a shift in how global e-commerce brands view Nigerian logistics capabilities.

“This is not just about fulfilling orders; it is about reshaping perceptions of what Nigerian delivery companies can achieve. We are committed to building the kind of infrastructure that supports international standards, empowers local businesses, and ultimately strengthens consumer trust in the broader digital economy,” he noted.

Mr Ojo-Bello added that Dellyman will continue investing in capacity, fleet expansion, and merchant-facing tools to ensure superior delivery experiences for Temu buyers and other online shoppers nationwide.

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Verve Issues Over 100 million Cards to Customers, Celebrates Milestone

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Verve 100 million Cards

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Over 100 million cards have been issued to customers by Africa’s leading payments card brand, Verve, across the continent.

This milestone has been described as a powerful symbol of growth, resilience, and the evolving needs of millions of Africans who rely on Verve every day.

The accomplishment has been said to underscore the company’s deep consumer insight, continuous innovation, and unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction.

Verve’s evolution has consistently been inspired by the needs and aspirations of its users. Today, its acceptance footprint stretches across Africa and reaches global markets through strategic partnerships with leading brands, including Google, Netflix, Spotify, AliExpress, Temu, Flywire, YouTube Premium, and others, unlocking broader access to lifestyle, entertainment, commerce, and mobility solutions for millions of cardholders.

“What began as a simple idea, one card designed to empower everyday life, has grown into 100 million stories, 100 million touchpoints, and 100 million reasons to deepen our commitment to delivering secure, seamless, and meaningful payment experiences across Africa,” the Executive Vice President for Group Marketing and Corporate Communications at Interswitch Group, Ms Cherry Eromosele, said at a media briefing in Lagos, where she was represented by the Divisional Head for Growth Marketing (Paytoken and MVNO), Chidi Oluaoha.

Ms Eromosele further noted that the milestone is shared with the broader ecosystem; banks, processors, merchants, regulators, and partners, whose collaboration has fuelled Verve’s remarkable growth.

Most importantly, she celebrated the millions of individuals who carry Verve cards in their wallets and mobile devices, acknowledging that their trust and loyalty continue to inspire the brand’s progress.

With the 100-million-card mark now crossed, Verve is poised to accelerate its expansion efforts, elevate customer experiences, and strengthen its global acceptance network.

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CREDICORP Launches Credit Programme for Easier Acquisition of Phones, Others

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CREDICORP Launches Credit Programme

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP)  has launched a national digital device credit programme that will make the acquisition of smartphones, laptops, and other essential digital tools easier for working Nigerians.

According to the scheme, which was introduced by the Nigerian government to democratise consumer credit access to Nigeria’s working population, the country’s progress is increasingly driven by access to the tools that help people learn, earn, and participate fully in a modern economy.

Over the past year, CREDICORP has supported thousands of Nigerians to acquire the assets that make daily life easier, from mobility solutions that shorten commutes and increase productivity to renewable energy systems that keep homes and small businesses powered and productive. Each intervention has shown the same outcome: when Nigerians are allowed to access essential tools through fair and responsible credit, their lives improve rapidly.

The new rollout builds on the success of the pilot phase already completed under the partnership. In the first phase, CREDICORP, working through E-Finance Company with technology support from Credlock, enabled over 1,000 Nigerians to access smartphones through affordable credit, many for the first time. The strong repayment performance and the speed of adoption demonstrated both the appetite and the national need for this kind of support.

Via this new phase, CREDICORP is poised to scale the program significantly, targeting over 15,000 Nigerians who will be able to access smartphones or laptops that directly enhance their productivity, income potential, and digital participation.

To deliver this initiative at scale, the organisation is once again working through one of its Participating Financial Institutions, E-Finance Company, with technology support from Credlock, whose intelligent device-collateral system allows for secure, responsible, and efficient access to credit. Together, E-Finance and Credlock will ensure that Nigerians can seamlessly apply for, finance, and collect the digital devices they need, without the heavy burden of upfront payments.

Speaking on the new phase, CREDICORP’s Managing Director, Mr Uzoma Nwagba, noted that this is a natural progression of the institution’s work.

“From mobility to renewable energy, we have witnessed the profound impact that access to credit can have on people’s daily lives. Nigerians are ambitious and hardworking; they simply need fair pathways to acquire the tools that move them forward. Digital devices now sit at the center of learning, earning, and productivity, and expanding access to them is a critical step in building a more digitally ready nation.”

On his part, Credlock’s CEO, Mr Dayo Fabayo, emphasized the power of turning everyday devices into pathways for progress. “Every smartphone represents potential to learn, to work, to access opportunity, and to live with dignity. At Credlock, we believe the device in someone’s hand can be the bridge to their financial future. Working with CREDICORP and E-Finance allows us to scale that vision to millions of Nigerians.”

This initiative is part of CREDICORP’s broader mission to expand consumer credit and improve the quality of life across the country. By widening access to digital tools, CREDICORP is supporting a more connected, productive, and future-ready Nigeria, one where every citizen can thrive.

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