Dar es Salaam, May 2025 – Communication and consumer protection experts have urged Tanzanians to remain vigilant in the wake of rising incidents of mobile fraud, while commending technology-led innovations, such as Airtel Tanzania’s AI-powered Spam Alert service, for helping the public stay ahead of scammers.
Speaking on the current status of mobile fraud and the importance of embracing digital safety, Mary Shayo, Executive Secretary of the TCRA Consumer Consultative Council (TCRA-CCC), emphasised that mobile fraud continues to be a significant challenge for users of communication services.
“Fraud not only leads to financial loss, but it also erodes public trust in mobile communication. And yet, mobile phones play a vital role in our daily lives, economically, socially, and professionally,” Shayo said.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fighting digital crime through initiatives like the #SITAPELIKI campaign, which aims to educate and protect mobile users across the country. She noted that collaboration with mobile operators and tech innovators has been crucial in enhancing public awareness and building resilience against scammers.
“We encourage users to be vigilant whenever they receive suspicious messages from fraudsters. Our ongoing #SITAPELIKI campaign, run in partnership with all mobile network operators, plays a key role in this. In that regard, we commend Airtel Tanzania for its groundbreaking innovation, Airtel Spam Alert – Kataa Matapeli service, which uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect scam messages in real-time and protect customers,” she said.
Shayo emphasised that the initiative demonstrates Airtel’s commitment to consumer protection and aligns with national efforts to create a safer digital environment.
“This is not just a technological breakthrough, it is a practical way of empowering users to make informed decisions and stay safe. Airtel deserves praise for taking responsibility and leading by example.”
On his part, Florence Mtuka, a representative from the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Consumer Consultative Council, said Airtel’s investment supports the government’s broader goal of ensuring safe internet usage, especially as communication services expand into underserved areas.
“As network coverage increases, we’ve seen a surge in mobile phone adoption, including in rural areas. Many users are transitioning from feature phones to smartphones, which increases both opportunity and risk. Solutions like Airtel Spam Alert, which leverage AI to analyse and classify messages based on historical data, are timely and essential,” said Mtuka.
He stressed that such innovations will greatly assist the government in safeguarding citizens, especially in rural and low-literacy regions, where understanding the nuances of digital scams may be difficult.
“These solutions help digital services grow without compromising safety. That’s the balance we need to support widespread, inclusive digital adoption,” he stated.
On behalf of Airtel Tanzania, Beatrice Singano, Director of Corporate Communications, highlighted the broad reach and inclusivity of the Spam Alert service, which is available nationwide and compatible with both smartphones and feature phones.
“The AI system continuously filters and flags potentially fraudulent messages, giving users the ability to identify and act before harm occurs,” said Singano.
She called on customers to take personal steps in protecting themselves, such as ensuring their mobile numbers are registered in their names, and urged continued public education as scammers adapt their techniques.
“Let’s remain alert and educate each other. Airtel will never send messages or make calls from any number except 100. The new AI-powered Airtel Spam Alert service helps users assess whether a message is legitimate or fraudulent, putting the power in their hands to make safe choices,” she emphasised. We join hands with the government in saying ‘Kataa Matapeli’. Together, we can ensure mobile technology is not only empowering but safe for every Tanzanian,” Beatrice remarked.
