Nigeria has seen an 84% cut in spam SMS thanks to Airtel Africa’s AI-powered spam detection system, Spam Alert.
The free tool has already flagged more than 205 million fraudulent messages across 13 African countries in just six months. Kenya recorded the highest number with 68 million alerts, followed by Tanzania with 47 million and Zambia with 33 million. But Nigeria stood out with the sharpest decline, showing how the system is reshaping the fight against unsolicited texts.
How Spam Alert works
The AI system automatically scans every incoming SMS using more than 250 checks, including sender identity and link patterns. Suspicious messages are tagged “SPAM Alert” before reaching the user. Airtel explained that the process takes less than two milliseconds per message, ensuring users stay protected without delays.
The company added that the system is built to protect privacy, since it does not store or analyse the content of the messages. Instead, the tool works in real-time across Airtel’s network and IT systems.Airtel Africa CEO, Sunil Taldar, said: “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.”
Big Impact on Nigerian Users
In July, Airtel Nigeria confirmed that Spam Alert had already intercepted more than 9.6 million suspicious texts on its network between March and May 2025. These included over 528,000 messages from Airtel users and more than nine million from other networks.
The service has been rolled out in 13 of Airtel’s 14 markets, including Nigeria, Uganda, Congo Brazzaville, Rwanda, Malawi, Madagascar, and Chad. Airtel noted that Seychelles will join the programme soon.
The system has already driven a 12% overall decline in spam texts across Africa. For Nigeria, where mobile money fraud and phishing scams are frequent, the results are particularly significant.
Get more information about the Airtel Africa’s AI-powered spam detection system here.
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