Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) has said that sustained collaboration among African countries remains central to the continent’s drive toward digital transformation.

The organisation stressed that building secure, interoperable and inclusive digital systems across Africa cannot be achieved in isolation, calling for stronger regional partnerships to accelerate innovation and shared infrastructure development.

The position was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Head of Corporate Communications at Galaxy Backbone, Chidi Okpala.

As it prepares to host a major delegation of policymakers, technology leaders and development partners in Abuja, GBB said the engagement would further highlight the importance of cross-border cooperation in shaping Africa’s digital future.

Okpala explained that the initiative is designed to provide both dialogue and practical exposure to Nigeria’s digital infrastructure ecosystem.

According to him, the visit will allow delegates to better understand how shared ICT systems are supporting governance and service delivery in the country.

“This engagement will provide an opportunity for African stakeholders to not only discuss policy frameworks but also see firsthand how digital public infrastructure is being deployed to improve efficiency, connectivity and innovation in the public sector,” Okpala said.

He added that GBB’s hosting role reflects its growing importance in advancing digital governance and infrastructure development across the continent.

“Galaxy Backbone is increasingly positioned as a key enabler of trusted digital infrastructure, and this engagement reinforces that role within Nigeria and beyond,” he noted.

Speaking ahead of the programme, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Backbone, Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, said the future of Africa’s digital economy depends on the ability of countries to work together in building resilient systems.

“No single country can achieve the level of transformation required on its own. We must share knowledge, align strategies, and invest in systems that can serve the entire continent,” Adeyanju said.

According to the statement, the engagement will feature a continental dialogue themed “Building Africa’s Digital Foundations Together,” bringing together stakeholders from 11 African countries in Abuja.

The programme is being organised in partnership with Co-Develop, Smart Africa, and MicroSave Consulting, with discussions expected to focus on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), digital identity systems, secure connectivity, interoperability frameworks, and inclusive digital ecosystems.

GBB said delegates will also undertake a guided tour of its infrastructure and facilities in Abuja, where they will be exposed to Nigeria’s digital transformation journey and the systems supporting cloud services, cybersecurity, government connectivity, and digital platforms.

The company noted that the tour is intended to demonstrate how shared ICT infrastructure is strengthening governance and enabling more efficient public service delivery.

Participants are expected to explore practical pathways for accelerating the deployment of digital public infrastructure to support economic growth and institutional reforms across Africa.

GBB maintained that the initiative also confirms Nigeria’s position as a regional hub for digital innovation and infrastructure development, while deepening cooperation among African nations.

Nigerians lost about N12.5 billion to telecom-related financial crimes from 2019 to January 2023, underscoring the scale and persistence of this threat to the telecommunications industry, PwC Nigeria has said, citing data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

PwC, in its latest report, ‘AI’s Dual Role in Telecom Fraud: Why Artificial Intelligence is Both a Threat and a Shield for Telcos’, said the growing adoption of AI by fraudsters is amplifying the frequency and impact of fraud.

The report said fraud has long been a persistent challenge in the telecoms landscape, leading to substantial financial losses for customers and reputational damages for telecommunication companies (telcos).

PwC’s latest report, ‘AI’s dual role in telecom fraud’, highlights global trends in how AI is reshaping both the threats and defences in telecommunications.

The publication examined what these shifts mean for operators in the local market and how they can stay ahead by adopting proactive, AI driven fraud management strategies.

It offered insights into how AI is enabling more sophisticated fraud schemes, from deepfake social engineering to automated attacks; the emerging role of AI powered detection and monitoring tools in strengthening fraud prevention frameworks.

The report also gave practical steps for telecom operators to balance innovation, resilience, and customer trust in an AI driven fraud ecosystem.

PwC noted that the impact of fraud on telecommunications companies is far-reaching, resulting in financial losses, reputational damage, and compliance issues.

The report said for instance, that in 2023, global telecom fraud was estimated at $38.95 billion.

It, however, stated that in Nigeria, where telecom acts as a key gateway to financial services through Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) and some are moving into fintech, these evolving risks place added pressure on operators.

The report stated that while operators have developed systems and controls to manage these risks, the sector’s expansion into adjacent domains (such as mobile money and payment service banking) is blurring the traditional boundaries of telecom fraud.

“The result is a more complex and interconnected risk environment, where both the frequency and impact of fraud are escalating. Adding to this complexity is the rapid pace of technological advancement.

For instance, Russian cybersecurity firm F6 reported a rise in SIM swapping incidents, particularly related to the shift to eSIM technology. These fraudsters are hijacking phone numbers and bypassing security measures to access bank accounts,” the report said.

The report, authored by Udochi Muogilim, Partner and Technology, Media and Telecommunications Leader,  PwC Nigeria, and Adeola Adekunle, associate director, Forensic Services,  however, said as AI continues to mature, it is reshaping the fraud landscape—introducing heightened threats and powerful new tools.

“On one hand, AI can be exploited to scale and automate fraud schemes with unprecedented sophistication. On the other, it equips telcos with advanced capabilities for fraud detection, prevention, and response.

“This dual role—AI as both a tool and a target—underscores the urgent need for Nigerian telecom players to adopt AI thoughtfully and strategically.

“Navigating this evolving landscape requires more than just investment in technology; it demands a deep understanding of what’s happening today in the world of technological disruption, and what’s to come,” the experts stated.

The report reiterated that telecom fraud affects a wide range of stakeholders, from individual consumers facing unauthorised charges to large corporations suffering reputation damage.

“The combination of AI and various fraud types significantly increases the success rate of these schemes.

“Furthermore, the global nature of telecommunications networks allows fraud to swiftly cross borders, complicating efforts to investigate and prosecute offenders, thus presenting a pressing concern for telecom companies and their regulators,” PwC said.

The firm, however, emphasised that AI has the potential to revolutionise how telecom companies and regulators combat fraud while enhancing the quality of service, ultimately fostering greater trust among consumers.

To fully harness this potential, PwC said it is crucial for industry players to stay informed about evolving technology trends and anticipate future challenges.

This awareness, it added, will empower them to leverage AI’s capabilities for more effective fraud prevention and the proactive management of emerging fraud types, all while adhering to responsible AI principles.

“A well-coordinated combination of the right resources and strategic alliances will enable the industry to make a significant impact in the fight against telecom fraud and build a safer, more efficient telecommunications ecosystem,” PwC affirmed.

The firm even went a notch higher by offering to help industry players and stakeholders turn fraud-related friction into forward movement, powered by the right technology.

“We bring trust and transparency to the heart of your decision-making, helping you use AI, data and tech to reduce the risk of fraud, respond swiftly to breaches, and emerge stronger—so you can prepare your business for what’s next,” PwC offered.

National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to building a coordinated and inclusive digital ecosystem in Nigeria, further strengthening its role as an ecosystem orchestrator.

NITDA

This was disclosed during a working visit centred on Nigeria’s startup ecosystem framework, where the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, was represented by the Director of Stakeholders Management and Partnerships, Dr Aristotle Onumo.

Speaking during the visit, the DG said NITDA was established to drive coordinated and sustainable information technology development in Nigeria, leveraging both its regulatory and developmental mandates, serving as an ecosystem orchestrator that fosters collaboration, innovation, and growth across the digital economy.

He stated that these reforms are aligned with the Federal Government’s Eight-Point Agenda and reflected in NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), which is built around eight strategic pillars designed to accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.

According to him, a key objective of the roadmap is to position Nigeria as a technologically driven nation that promotes inclusive economic development through innovation. He highlighted digital literacy as a major priority, with NITDA targeting 70 percent digital literacy by 2027 under the National Digital Literacy Framework, with a long-term goal of achieving 95 percent by 2030.

Other priority areas, he said, include ecosystem development, IT talent advancement, expansion of digital infrastructure, policy implementation, and research-driven innovation.

The visiting delegation from Angola’s National Institute of Support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (INAPEM), led by Chairman of the Board of Directors (PCA) and Chief Executive Officer, Bráulio Augusto, commended Nigeria’s progress in implementing the Nigeria Startup Act and described the country as a valuable model for shaping Angola’s own startup legislation.

Augusto disclosed that Angola’s Startup Law has received initial parliamentary approval and is now entering the implementation stage. He expressed interest in understanding how Nigeria transitioned from legal adoption to practical execution, particularly in areas such as startup labelling, incentive management, ecosystem mapping, investor registration, and the operation of the Nigeria Startup Portal.

According to him, Angola is currently developing the Startup Angola Programme under its Digital Entrepreneurship Support Programme, aimed at building a structured and integrated startup ecosystem rather than isolated interventions.

The programme will focus on institutional strengthening, startup funding, support for business development service providers, expansion of innovation hubs, and partnerships with international accelerators.

He added that Nigeria’s experience is especially relevant as Angola seeks solutions to challenges including informality, limited access to finance, youth unemployment, digital inclusion gaps, and restricted market access for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The INAPEM chief also requested further technical insights into Nigeria’s National Startup Council, its member selection process, and the governance structure of the Nigeria Startup Portal.

The visit highlights growing collaboration among African nations in digital policy development and further reinforces Nigeria’s position as a reference point in shaping startup ecosystem frameworks across the continent.