Lagos, 14 March 2025 – Airtel Africa has introduced an innovative artificial intelligence (AI)-powered Spam Alert Service in Nigeria, marking a significant step in combating spam messages across the continent.
The service, available at no cost to all Airtel subscribers, will provide real-time alerts for suspected spam SMS messages without requiring additional app downloads.
Following its launch in Nigeria, the service will be gradually rolled out across Airtel Africa’s 14 operational markets.
According to research from Quartz, nine out of the top 20 countries with the highest spam rates in 2019 were in Africa.
With the continent’s increasing smartphone penetration, spam messages have become a major concern, often targeting unsuspecting individuals with fraudulent offers and requests for personal information. These deceptive messages trick users into clicking malicious links, potentially leading to financial fraud.
Airtel Africa’s AI-powered Spam Alert Service addresses this issue by classifying suspicious SMS messages as "Suspected SPAM."
Without accessing message content, the AI system analyzes over 250 parameters in real time, including the sender’s SMS frequency and geographic reach.
The system processes more than 1.5 billion messages in just two milliseconds, utilizing a dual-layer security approach—one at the network level and another at the IT systems level.
Additionally, the service warns users about malicious web links contained in SMS messages. A centralized database of blacklisted URLs allows the AI system to scan messages in real time and notify customers before they click on suspicious links.
Speaking at the launch event in Lagos, Airtel Nigeria’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dinesh Balsingh, emphasized the company’s commitment to enhancing customer security.
“We are proud to introduce Africa’s first AI-driven spam alert solution. This marks a transformative step in the telecom industry, reinforcing our dedication to leveraging technology for customer protection,” he said.
Nigeria’s Minister for Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, praised Airtel’s investment in technology and cybersecurity, noting that the initiative supports Nigeria’s digital transformation efforts.
“As we expand digital infrastructure and promote digital literacy, solutions like this highlight AI’s role in both security and economic empowerment,” he stated.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, also lauded the initiative.
“Security remains a key concern for subscribers, and Airtel’s Spam Alert Service strengthens the industry’s efforts in protecting consumers while boosting confidence in mobile communications,” he said.
With the service set to expand to other African nations, Airtel Africa continues to drive technological advancements aimed at safeguarding its growing subscriber base from digital threats.