On Thursday, Airtel Africa introduced its AI-powered Spam Alert Service in Nigeria, aiming to tackle the growing issue of SMS fraud across the continent.
This innovative solution offers real-time alerts for suspected spam messages without requiring customers to download additional applications. The service is automatically activated for all Airtel subscribers, including smartphone and feature phone users.
The AI system analyses over 250 parameters, such as sender usage patterns and geographical targeting, to identify suspicious SMS messages labelled “Suspected SPAM.”
According to Airtel Africa, this dual-layer protection operates at network and IT systems levels, processing over 1.5 billion messages within just two milliseconds. Additionally, the service scans incoming SMS messages for malicious links using a centralised database of blacklisted URLs, warning users about potential threats before they click on harmful links.
Speaking at the launch event in Lagos, Airtel Nigeria Managing Director Dinesh Balsingh highlighted the importance of this initiative: “Enhancing customer experience is our foremost priority, and we are proud to launch Africa’s first AI-powered spam alert solution. This is a game-changer for the telecoms industry in Africa.”
Addressing SMS fraud across Africa
Spam SMS messages have become widespread in Africa, with nine of the top 20 countries globally experiencing high spam rates as of 2019.
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These fraudulent communications often target unsuspecting individuals by impersonating network providers or government entities to extract personal information under pretences.
Nigeria’s Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, commended Airtel Africa’s efforts during the launch event: “Solutions like Airtel AI Spam Alert Service enforce the importance of leveraging artificial intelligence not only for security but also for economic empowerment.”
Airtel Africa plans to expand this service beyond Nigeria to other countries where it operates. By proactively addressing SMS fraud with cutting-edge technology, Airtel aims to protect millions of users from scams while fostering trust in digital communications.