Joy Agwunobi
Nigeria has recorded an 84 percent decline in spam text messages following the rollout of Airtel Africa’s Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven spam detection system, Spam Alert, underscoring the role of technology in reducing mobile fraud and unsolicited communications across the continent.
According to a statement by Airtel Africa, the free service has flagged more than 205 million fraudulent and unwanted messages across 13 of its African markets in the past six months.
Data from the company shows that Kenya registered the highest spam activity with 68 million flagged SMS, followed by Tanzania with 47 million and Zambia with 33 million. Nigeria, however, recorded the most significant decline in spam messages, which Airtel attributed to the strong performance of the Spam Alert system and the country’s efforts to curb phishing scams and nuisance texts.
The service works by prefixing suspicious SMS with the tag “SPAM Alert”, enabling users to identify potential threats instantly without needing to install additional applications. This proactive filtering, Airtel explained, has not only reduced unsolicited communications but also provided a critical shield against phishing scams targeting mobile money users and smartphone owners.
Sunil Taldar, chief executive officer of Airtel Africa, described the service as a breakthrough in customer protection, saying: “We are proud to pioneer an advanced tech solution powered by AI in tackling spam messages that are a major concern in Africa as smartphone penetration increases. This free service is yet another demonstration of our commitment to consistently innovate to deliver an unmatched experience and safer network to our customers.”
The Spam Alert service, now active in 13 of Airtel’s 14 markets including Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Gabon, Congo Brazzaville, Malawi, Madagascar, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, Chad, and Niger, has already contributed to a 12 percent overall reduction in spam SMS across Africa. Airtel disclosed that Seychelles is set to be added soon.
In Nigeria, Airtel had earlier announced that between March 13 and May 20, 2025, its network intercepted more than 9.6 million suspicious messages. Of these, 528,080 originated from Airtel users, while 9.1 million came from off-network sources.
The AI-powered tool, designed to operate in real-time, scans every incoming SMS within two milliseconds using over 250 parameters such as sender identity, link structure, message patterns, and regional anomalies. Malicious messages are flagged as “Suspected SPAM” before delivery, ensuring subscribers are protected without compromising their privacy, as message content is not stored or analysed.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has endorsed the initiative, describing it as a vital step toward consumer protection in a fast-digitising economy.
Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman of the Commission, commented:“Spam messages and fraud are becoming more sophisticated, and this AI-powered solution provides a much-needed layer of security.”
The NCC has, in recent months, emphasised collaboration with telecom operators to reduce digital fraud. Its 2023 Industry Risk Report ranked phishing through SMS and unsolicited bulk messaging among the top five threats facing mobile subscribers, risks particularly acute in rural areas and for first-time smartphone users.
The fight against spam and phishing is not unique to Africa. Globally, regulators are stepping up efforts to combat digital risks, with AI increasingly recognised as a frontline tool for early detection and fraud prevention. In Africa, where mobile adoption is outpacing traditional banking and internet penetration, spam prevention is central to sustaining consumer trust and accelerating digital inclusion.
With Nigeria’s improvement so far, Airtel’s Spam Alert service shows what industry collaboration and AI innovation can achieve in safeguarding subscribers and securing the future of mobile communications.
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