In a major step to combat rising spam and fraud, Airtel Africa has launched a free AI-powered Spam Alert Service for all its subscribers in Nigeria, with plans to expand across its 14 African markets.
The innovative solution, the first of its kind in Africa, automatically detects and flags suspicious SMS messages in real time—without requiring users to download any additional apps.
Tackling Africa’s Spam Epidemic
Africa faces a significant spam problem, with nine of the world’s top 20 spam-affected countries located on the continent, according to a 2019 Quartz report. Fraudsters often impersonate telecom providers or government agencies, sending deceptive messages with malicious links to steal personal data.
Airtel’s new AI system combats this by analyzing over 250 parameters, including sender behavior, message frequency, and target locations, to instantly classify suspicious texts as “Suspected SPAM.” The service also scans for blacklisted URLs, warning users before they click harmful links.
Dual-Layer Protection for Millions of Users
The AI operates on a proprietary dual-layer security system, filtering messages at both the network and IT levels. Capable of processing 1.5 billion messages in just 2 milliseconds, the technology ensures swift and accurate detection.
Leadership Hails Innovation in Telecom Security
At the launch event in Lagos, Dinesh Balsingh, Airtel Nigeria’s Managing Director and CEO, emphasized the company’s commitment to customer safety: “This AI-powered spam alert is a game-changer for Africa’s telecom industry. We’re proud to debut it in Nigeria—our largest market—before expanding to other countries in the coming months.”
Nigeria’s Minister for Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, praised the initiative: “Airtel’s solution aligns with our push for digital security and literacy. AI-driven innovations like this are vital for both safety and economic growth.”
Dr. Aminu Maida, CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), added: “This service boosts consumer confidence and addresses a major challenge in the telecom sector. We commend Airtel for leading the way.”
Rollout Across Africa
Following its debut in Nigeria, the Airtel AI Spam Alert Service will be introduced in other Airtel Africa markets, offering millions of subscribers enhanced protection against fraud.