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IDC Proffers Solutions to Africa’s Failing MVNO Environment

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Despite the strong growth of mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) globally, the majority of MVNO efforts in Africa to date have been unsuccessful despite happening in countries offering favourable market conditions and plentiful opportunities.

That’s according to new insights from global IT market intelligence firm International Data Corporation (IDC), whose latest report shows that while the number of MVNOs has increased globally in recent years, the trend remains in its infancy in Africa, with the continent playing host to less than 1% of the world’s 1,000 MVNOs.

“The MVNO situation is different in Africa because of several challenges such as a lack of regulatory support, poor business models and strategies, low ARPUs, market saturation in some countries, fear of competition, and resistance from incumbent mobile telcos,” said Leonard Kore, a research analyst for telecommunications and media at IDC East Africa. “Despite this, opportunities do exist, and a number of MVNOs have been launched on the continent, especially in Kenya and South Africa. Fast-developing telecommunications markets such as South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Nigeria, and Morocco exhibit high mobile penetration rates and oligopolistic market structures, necessitating the need for MVNOs that focus on niche market segments.”

IDC believes some of the key factors driving the potential for MVNO growth in Africa are the existence of strong local brands, low barriers to entry, decreasing interconnection rates, emerging niche segments and the ability to generate alternative revenue streams for host telcos.

The rise of MVNOs across the continent is likely to bring a number of advantages, including greater competition.

This will drive improved quality of service (QoS) levels courtesy of increased network infrastructure investments, increased innovation, improved customer experience, and competitive pricing in some markets.

“IDC is seeing a trend where subscribers in some African countries are seeking many value propositions from their operators, including mobile money services, low pricing, extended network coverage, 3G or 4G services, affordable data packages, and unlimited plans, among others,” said Kore. “We are now seeing customers purchasing dual-SIM phones to accommodate more than one operator. A multi-SIM environment lowers the cost of customer acquisition in a market where users rarely change operators; this provides hope for new MVNO entrants that offer the right services. The best example of this is in Kenya where Equitel, a new MVNO, is trying to challenge the status quo by offering thin SIM card technology.”

“The key opportunities for MVNOs looking to operate in Africa include mobile money, discount services, triple-play services, OTT and VAS, roaming solutions, and public WiFi,” continues Kore. “There will also be opportunities in the future for those offering M2M/IoT solutions. For MVNOs to take advantage, they need to leverage partnerships with strong local brands and distribution networks, negotiate the right wholesale agreement, ensure operational excellence and avoid sparking price wars. MVNOs should adapt to local market dynamics and needs, and aim to host and control in-house critical elements (e.g., business intelligence/analytics, customer relationship management, and the billing platform) as this will enable them to access vital customer and market information in a timely fashion. At the same time, regulators are also urged to create a supportive regulatory environment that will help position African countries as possible MVNO destinations.”

IDC’s report ‘The MVNO Opportunity in Africa’ (IDC #CEMA23487) provides an insight into the MVNO landscape in Africa. It assesses the key drivers and inhibitors of MVNO growth, while looking at the key opportunities for MVNOs in the future. The report also provides some key strategic recommendations for current and potential entrants in the MVNO ecosystem.

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. IDC helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community make fact-based decisions on technology purchases and business strategy. More than 1,000 IDC analysts provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries worldwide. For more than 50 years, IDC has provided strategic insights to help our clients achieve their key business objectives. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world’s leading technology media, research, and events company. You can learn more about IDC by visiting www.idc.com.

IDC in the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey
For the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey region, IDC retains a coordinated network of offices in Riyadh, Casablanca, Nairobi, Lagos, Johannesburg, and Istanbul, with a regional centre in Dubai.

 


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Study Reveals Majority of IT Professionals Show Openness to Cyber Immunity

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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.

 


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Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

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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 launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free 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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Firm Identifies Global Scam Activity Linked to the Release of Avatar 3

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The premiere of Avatar 3 has taken place in several countries and has been accompanied by a noticeable increase in online interest. Amid the heightened attention surrounding the release, Kaspersky experts identified an increase in cyber-scam campaigns that exploit the movie’s launch and users’ desire to watch it online. The fraudulent websites target users across multiple regions, indicating attempts by attackers to reach a global audience.

The scam operates as follows: cybercriminals create suspicious websites that offer online access to the Avatar 3 movie. Attackers place particular emphasis on localisation, publishing the sites in multiple languages to attract users from different countries. However, the translations are often poorly executed and contain grammatical errors and inconsistencies, which may serve as indicators of fraudulent activity.

When users attempt to start the video, they are presented with a fake media player and prompted to register in order to obtain “full” or “unlimited” access to the film. As part of the registration process, users are asked to provide personal information, including an email address and mobile phone number.

At later stages, scammers may request additional data, including payment details, under the guise of activating a “free trial.” This creates risks of credential compromise, particularly if users reuse passwords across multiple services, and may also lead to financial losses.

“Cybercriminals consistently exploit major movie premieres to capture users’ attention and increase the effectiveness of their schemes. We advise accessing films only through official platforms and exercising caution when encountering websites that request personal or payment information. It is also important to use reliable security solutions to protect all devices, including mobiles,” comments Olga Altukhova, Senior web content analyst at Kaspersky.

 


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