Telecom
AfriTECH 3.0: Digital Encode Hints How Emerging Techs Drive Cyber Trends
Digital Encode, a leading consulting and integration firm has said that in its 20 years of existence, it has been able to certify so many organisations with different kinds of certifications, ranging from high school certifications to carrying out payment card industry (PCI) data security standards (DSS) for companies within and outside Nigeria.
Digital Encode, which prides itself as the number one information technology assurance company in Africa, specializes in the design, management and security of business-critical networks, telecommunications environments and other information technology infrastructures.
Speaking during a Fireside chat with Joan Aimengheuwa, a senior Content writer with TechEconomy, at the Africa Tech Alliance (AfriTECH 3.0) Forum held at The Providence Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Olaifa Opeyemi, a Cybersecurity Consultant at Digital Encode Limited said the company known for solving multifaceted, complex enterprise network security and audit problems, will keep on working tirelessly to remain ready for the ever-evolving digital skills.
Responding to a question on cybersecurity trends in Africa, Opeyemi said there has really been an increase in cyber trends owing to sustained advancement in the digital space, emerging technologies, and the increasing emergence of new smart devices.
“There was a time of web applications. Now, it’s time for mobile applications. The more technology you introduce, the more trends you introduce out there. And then the more there are some bad people; they are trying to see how they can exploit that technology you put out there. So, there has been an increase in cybersecurity trends, ranging from ransomware to malware to other forms of attacks, business logic attacks, and all those kinds of trends that they could use or exploit.
“Even in social engineering, there is phishing, which has become very rampant. Aside from trends, there has also been an increase in this old cryptocurrency attack, which they often refer to as the crypto champion. Even though cryptocurrency has been in existence for quite a while, it became much known a few years back. So, these bad guys out there are already going to devise something called the crypto champion.
“Crypto champion is a tool that they use to first try to get access to your device. Then once they have access to your device, they install this particular solution and have you actually mine your cryptocurrency. And then you get the money from your cryptocurrency without your knowledge,” Opeyemi said.
On the positive developments in cybersecurity, she said that there has been an increase in data protection efforts in Nigeria, since the enforcement into law of the data protection bill by President Bola Tinubu, adding that in 2020 and 2021, South Africa and Egypt incorporated the PRP Highway, which is the protection of personal information. “Over the years, different countries in Africa have really been trying to enforce this data protection,” she further added.
Opeyemi stressed that security is not just about the company, but also about the staff in an organisation as well, noting that “if you have the technology, and you have your people aligned, whether it comes to security, you also need process policies to govern them. Policies in terms of making a change in the environment, making sure you make the change request.
“Before you create a password, make sure you follow the password policy. Before you do this, make sure you do that. So really, there are a lot of tracks there; – Ransomware, malware, social engineering, and even distributed denial of service. When it gets like this, there’s enough traffic, and they put down a service in the organisation.”
“Cybersecurity is really just about being there, the confidentiality of information, the integrity of information, and the availability of that information. Confidentiality of information is just that you have to ensure that you’re protecting whatever information you have for unauthorized access, which is what we want to ensure with cybersecurity.
“On Integrity, you’re protecting that information from unauthorized deportation. You don’t want someone who’s not supposed to have access to that file to have access. And on availability, if you’re a sponsor, you’re trying to make sure that your services are available to you. You don’t want things to ever be disrupted or hit anywhere,” Opeyemi further stated.
On how companies can protect their data, the cybersecurity consultant warned that in a case like DDoS, companies should insist on an application or network because of the heavy traffic associated with this kind of cybercrime, advising that there would be the need for traffic imagery.
“First, you need to have what I call traffic imagery. There are so many solutions out there that you can actually use in your organization, and it will help you to filter this traffic. So as traffic is coming to the system, whether it’s a system or an application, it helps to filter that suspicious traffic. And all these devices are actually, to some extent, smart.
“They see the traffic from a certain source, and then when they see such traffic, they don’t get suspicious. But then when they are seeing traffic from a source that they are not very used to, they will most likely rate it as suspicious, which is why sometimes when you now do your review, you find out that it’s not reading anything,” she said.
Opeyemi implored the government to intensify efforts at creating awareness on the need for cybersecurity consciousness and not just limiting itself to regulatory oversight and standardization, noting that creating cybersecurity awareness from the primary school level would go a long way to building a cybercrime-free nation.
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.
Xenophobic Attacks: Anonymous Nigeria Threatens to Leak South African Stolen Data
WHO Says Ebola Outbreak Worse than Reported
Chapel Hill Denham Says Banks Lose N2.5 Trillion Annually to High CRR in New Report
Lagos Sanctions 15 Money Lending Firms for Operational Violations
FirstBank, Visa Launch Multicurrency Signature, Naira Debit Cards
MTN, VDT, Zoracom, Digital Realty Back 2026 Girls in ICT Campaign
Vitel Wireless Partners Fintechs to Expand Access to Services
Kaspersky Discovers Vulnerability in Qualcomm Snapdragon Chips that can Lead to Data Loss & Device Compromise
Bank Customers to Pay N1,500 for ATM Card Issuance, Replacement – CBN
FCCPC Licenses 5 Firms for Airtime, Data Lending as Telcos Step Aside
General News2 days agoWorld Bank Blocks Social Media Comments from Nigerians over Loan Backlash
Telecom2 days agoNITDA, FMCIDE Deepen Collaboration on Nigeria’s Digital Transformation
Telecom2 days agoNigerians Lose N12.5bBn to Telecom-Related Financial Crimes – PwC
E-Business2 days agoJumia Nigeria Records Strong Q1 2026 Growth as Technology-Led Strategy Drives Market Expansion
General News2 days agoLG Electronics Strengthens Household Energy Efficiency in Nigeria with Advanced Inverter Refrigerator Solutions
Telecom2 days agoNITDA Showcases Nigeria’s Startup Framework as Model for Angola
News2 days agoOnly 1 in 3 Families Fully Secure their Devices, Kaspersky Study Reveals
Telecom2 days agoUpperlink, ICANN, Others Rally Global Participation for UA Day 2026