E-Business
Op-ed: Intelligent Customer Engagement

By: Murray Gardiner, MD of Bluecode Africa
The customer is always mobile. This is the adage that defines customer engagement today thanks to ubiquitous smartphone penetration and ownership, particularly on the African continent. In Nigeria, one of Africa’s most populated countries, Statista predicts that smartphone users are expected to exceed 140 million in under five years.
In South Africa, the volume of smartphone users is expected to grow another five million by 2023 with more than 90 million connections and 22 million smartphone users in the country today.
The challenge that lies ahead for merchants and mobile operators is to adapt strategies and approaches to ensure that they maintain and manage customer engagement within these markets, leveraging accessible and relevant solutions that deliver value.
The Merchant Mobile Apps: Much More Than Payments report released in early 2020, found that consumers are using their mobile devices to enhance their management of financial transactions and online shopping. The customer wants to work with applications that go beyond the basics. They want apps that have integrated features, that create experiences, that have loyalty systems embedded, and that support their long-term purchasing activity. The report highlights one particularly relevant point – that the mobile app has gone beyond the device and the functionality and become the hub of customer engagement with the merchant, network operator and retail sector.
Considering that customer usage of mobile devices to pay for goods and services has increased dramatically over the past year, intelligent apps designed to leverage customer engagement are key to fully realising the potential of the market. It has become imperative that merchants strengthen customer relationships by giving customers solutions that meet their needs in a dramatically changing landscape. The global pandemic has played no small part in changing how customers and companies manage their digital transactions and payments. According to Bain, the increased demand for digital payments has made the market far more competitive and has introduced fresh challenges for merchants to overcome.
Digital payment solutions have to be capable of adapting to changing customer needs and behaviours. The Bain report found that merchants will need to increase their acceptance for digital payments and adopt a more flexible omnichannel approach in order to take advantage of the rising tide of digital payments. While this report focuses on the global market, it is as relevant in Africa as more and more people turn to digital and cashless to avoid personal risk and queues. So, what is best practice? What should the merchant be looking for?
The answer lies in the digital payment ecosystem. An ecosystem that assures the customer of exceptional service and delivers on one of the most important premises of 2020 – trust. Security, transparency and transaction visibility are key to ensuring that customers trust in the merchant and the solution. Equally, it is important for any digital payment platform to put the merchant at the heart of engagement – to provide them with value-added extras that help them to manage their business more effectively, and to increase customer loyalty.
Digital payments are more than just the transaction. They are the loyalty points gathered and the loyalty engendered. They are the confidence in the security that ensure that customers trust, and they are the convenience that afford customers from all parts of society to engage in digital payments and better quality financial services. They are also the extremely useful solutions that can be used to engage with customers in new markets, minimise fraud, open up gateways to better quality services, and empower formal and informal businesses with services that streamline operations and financial accountability.
Merchants need a multi-faceted payment solution that can be used to link payments from any funding source, linked to customer loyalty tools and lifestyle; that can be used to increase payment touchpoints across multiple surfaces such as vending machines or self-service checkouts; and that allows for the development of digital value-added services that change how customers engage with the business. This level of app-based engagement and utility allows for far richer customer journeys and interactions that can be customised and managed to suit business and market. This is the future of the digital transaction, one that can evolve and adapt to the changing world while offering both customers and merchants the trust, visibility and capability that they have come to expect from the digital revolution.
E-Business
Study Reveals 88.5% of Phishing Attacks Focus on Stealing Account Credentials

Kaspersky analysed phishing and scam campaigns observed from January through September 2025 and found that 88.5% of attacks globally sought credentials for various online accounts.

Another 9.5% targeted personal data such as names, addresses, and dates of birth, while 2% focused on bank card details.
According to data from Kaspersky, over 38 million phishing links were clicked in Africa in the previous year (from November 2024 to October 2025) – all of which were detected and blocked by Kaspersky solutions.
Not everyone uses protective solutions on their devices however, and phishing remains one of the most prevalent cyber threats, with attackers luring users to fake websites where they unwittingly surrender their login credentials, personal information, or bank card details.
Kaspersky research shows that most phishing pages transmit stolen information via email, Telegram bots, or attacker-controlled panels, before it enters underground resale channels.
Data stolen through phishing is rarely used only once: credentials from multiple campaigns are consolidated into data dumps and sold on dark web markets, in some cases for as little as $50. Buyers sort and verify the data to check whether accounts remain active and reusable across different services.
According to Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence, average 2025 prices ranged from $0.90 for global Internet portals to $105 for crypto platforms and $350 for online banking access. Personal documents such as passports or ID cards sold for about $15 on average, with pricing influenced by account age, balance, linked payment methods, and security settings.
As datasets are enriched and combined, attackers can build detailed digital profiles that may later support targeted attacks on executives, finance staff, IT-administrators or individuals with valuable assets or personal documents.
“Our analysis shows that credentials account for nearly 90% of phishing attempts. Once collected, logins, passwords, phone numbers, and personal details are aggregated, checked, and resold, sometimes years after the initial theft.
Combined with new information, even old credentials can enable account takeovers and targeted attacks against both individuals and organisations.
By leveraging open-source intelligence and old breach data, attackers can craft highly personalised scams, turning one-time victims into long-term targets for identity theft, blackmail, or financial fraud,” said Olga Altukhova, senior web content analyst at Kaspersky.
E-Business
Study Reveals Majority of IT Professionals Show Openness to Cyber Immunity

The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, with organisations seeking more robust ways to protect their digital assets. A recent global study conducted by Kaspersky reveals a growing shift toward proactive security strategies, particularly the adoption of Secure by Design development and Cyber Immunity – an innovative approach that embeds resilience directly into system architecture.

The study highlights that 90% of cybersecurity professionals surveyed in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region are familiar with Secure by Design development. This methodology integrates security into the very fabric of a system from its inception, rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Such an approach is already employed in high-stakes industries like aerospace, where security cannot be bolted on later – it must be intrinsic. Despite its advantages, however, adoption has been slow due to challenges related to standardisation and cost.
Cyber Immunity is the next frontier in cybersecurity
Building on Secure by Design principles, Cyber Immunity takes cybersecurity a step further by creating systems that inherently resist attacks without the need for constant patching or additional security layers. The study reveals that most experts are familiar with Cyber Immunity but interpret it differently.
When asked what they associate with the term, 64% of respondents in the META region linked it to Secure by Design systems that remain resilient under attack, while 56% viewed it as a combination of technology and policy measures that block cybercriminal access. Another 48% connected it to highly skilled cybersecurity teams, indicating that while awareness is high, a unified understanding is still developing.
The growing demand for proactive security
One of the most striking findings is the optimism surrounding inherently secure systems. Over half of respondents in the META region (63%) believe it is already possible or definitely achievable to design systems capable of withstanding cyberattacks without relying on additional security solutions.
Another 32% think it might be possible, reflecting openness to this idea despite some uncertainty. This shift in mindset aligns with a broader industry trend: traditional reactive security measures are no longer sufficient.
With AI-powered threats and increasingly sophisticated attacks, organisations need solutions that do more than just detect breaches—they must prevent them by design.
Integrating Cyber Immunity into security strategies
The study emphasises that resilience, expertise, and flexibility will define the next generation of cybersecurity. While Secure by Design provides the methodology, Cyber Immunity represents the ultimate goal—systems so robust that they minimise reliance on external defences.
“For companies looking ahead, Cyber Immunity offers more than just protection — it brings clear business benefits. When systems are built to be secure from the ground up, there’s less need for constant updates, patches, and extra security tools. That means fewer costs, less strain on IT teams, and stronger, more reliable protection over time,” said Dmitry Lukiyan, Head of KasperskyOS Business Unit.
Most importantly in today’s threat landscape, Cyber Immunity offers robust protection against next-generation challenges — including AI-driven attacks capable of outmaneuvering traditional security measures.
When security becomes an intrinsic property of system architecture rather than an external addition, businesses gain more than just protection—they secure a competitive market advantage.
This proactive approach future-proofs critical infrastructure, enabling organisations to operate confidently even as threats evolve. It transforms cybersecurity from a defensive necessity into a strategic differentiator that accelerates digital transformation while mitigating risk.
As the cybersecurity environment becomes more complex, Cyber Immunity is emerging as a vital strategy. Organisations that adopt it now will not only enhance their protection but also position themselves ahead of the curve in an increasingly volatile digital world.
E-Business
Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform, has launched its inaugural 2026 shopping campaign, Konga Jara, offering 25 per cent discount on Starlink internet kits alongside free nationwide delivery.

Konga
The campaign, drawing from the Nigerian concept of “jara” — the extra value traders add to purchases — aims to deliver exceptional deals across categories, helping shoppers turn new year aspirations into reality through affordable technology and value-driven shopping.
To qualify for the Starlink discount, customers must purchase kits on Konga.com, activate them at starlink.com/activate, and email activation details to [email protected] for verification against Starlink’s records. Discounts are subject to terms and conditions.
Konga said spotlighting Starlink underscores reliable internet’s role in Nigeria’s digital economy, supporting work, learning, entrepreneurship and communication for households and businesses.
Mr Onochie Melvin, Head of Commercial Planning at Konga, said: “We listened carefully to what Nigerians said they needed to truly kickstart 2026 on the right footing. Reliable internet connectivity emerged as the foundation upon which other aspirations depend.”
He added: “Students need it for online learning, entrepreneurs need it to scale digital businesses, and professionals rely on it for remote work. This Starlink offer is not just about selling products; it is about removing barriers that prevent Nigerians from fully participating in the digital economy.”
Beyond connectivity, Konga Jara provides genuine products from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with transparent pricing, warranties and authenticity guarantees.
As a composite e-commerce ecosystem, Konga integrates shopping, payments and logistics for seamless nationwide access, with exclusive deals shared via its social media channels throughout the campaign.
Shoppers can explore offers at www.konga.com and follow Konga’s official pages for updates across the Konga Group.
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