Airtel AI Spam Alert Achieves 84% Reduction in Spam SMS
Nigeria has recorded a remarkable 84% drop in spam SMS following the deployment of Airtel Africa’s AI-powered spam detection system, known as Spam Alert.
According to Airtel, the free service has flagged more than 205 million fraudulent and unsolicited messages across 13 African markets in just six months.
Kenya registered the highest spam volume, with 68 million flagged messages, followed by Tanzania with 47 million and Zambia with 33 million. However, Nigeria stood out with the steepest decline, reflecting the strong impact of Spam Alert on reducing unsolicited messages.
Real-Time Protection Against Phishing
The Spam Alert service prefixes suspicious SMS with “SPAM Alert”, giving subscribers real-time protection without the need for additional apps.
This filtering helps users avoid:
- Phishing scams targeting mobile money accounts
- Fraudulent offers and fake promotions
- Unsolicited bulk SMS that disrupts mobile users
“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,” said Airtel Africa CEO, Sunil Taldar.
Currently active in 13 of Airtel’s 14 markets, including Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Gabon, and Tanzania, the service has already contributed to a 12% overall reduction in spam SMS across Africa. Airtel also confirmed that Seychelles will be added soon.
Spam Interception in Nigeria
In July 2025, Airtel Nigeria revealed that the Spam Alert system had intercepted 9.6 million suspicious SMS between March 13 and May 20.
Breakdown of flagged messages:
- 528,080 originated from Airtel users
- 9,138,928 came from off-network sources
The AI system scans every SMS in real time, processing messages in less than two milliseconds using over 250 parameters, including:
- Sender identity
- Link structure
- Message volume
- Regional anomalies
Suspicious messages are tagged as “Suspected SPAM” before reaching the end user. Importantly, the system preserves user privacy by not storing or analysing the content of messages.
NCC Endorses Airtel’s Spam-Fighting Initiative
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has welcomed the Spam Alert deployment, noting its significance in reducing fraud risks. “Spam messages and fraud are becoming more sophisticated, and this AI-powered solution provides a much-needed layer of security,” said NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida.
The NCC’s 2023 Industry Risk Report had earlier identified phishing via SMS and unsolicited bulk messaging as top concerns for mobile users, especially in rural areas and among first-time smartphone owners.
The Commission is also exploring collaborative models with telecom operators to further enhance and consumer protection and reduce fraud exposure across the sector.
Key Takeaway
With an 84% decline in spam SMS in Nigeria, Airtel’s AI-powered Spam Alert is proving to be a game-changer for mobile security in Africa. As spam and phishing attempts grow more sophisticated, AI-driven systems like Spam Alert are becoming essential tools for safeguarding subscribers while supporting digital trust and consumer protection.
