Airtel Mobile Commerce BV, a subsidiary of Airtel Africa PLC, is thrilled to announce the launch of the Airtel Money GlobalPay Card, a new payment solution designed to connect Airtel Money customers across Africa with global online marketplaces.

This collaboration with Mastercard will empower Airtel’s 150 million mobile phone users in 14 African countries with access to Mastercard’s global merchant network, enabling safer and more secure international transactions.

The Airtel Money GlobalPay Card is a virtual (non-plastic) payment solution that links directly to Airtel Money wallets. This card can be used for a wide range of payments across global online merchants, including major platforms such as Facebook, Netflix, Uber, Amazon, Google, AliExpress, and Alibaba.

Users will also have the ability to make payments for travel bookings, utilities, subscriptions, and purchase goods from international suppliers—all from the convenience of their mobile phones.

For Airtel Money customers, activating the Airtel Money GlobalPay Card is simple. Customers simply need opt-in for the card, load it from Airtel Money wallet, and start shopping. No additional documentation, registration, or installations are required.

With this payment solution, Airtel and Mastercard aim to meet the growing demand for digital payments in Africa and support small businesses in cross-border trade. The partnership aligns with Airtel Africa’s goal of enhancing financial inclusion by providing efficient and seamless payment solutions to mobile money users across the continent.

CEO of Airtel Money, Ian Ferrao, commented: “At Airtel, we are continuously innovating to enhance the customer experience. By adding Mastercard’s secure virtual payment solution to Airtel Money, we are making International payments simpler and more accessible for our customers. This collaboration allows us to offer a global e-commerce experience.”

Mastercard’s global network and expertise in payment solutions will play a critical role in supporting financial inclusion efforts in Africa. The initiative aligns with Mastercard’s commitment to bring one billion people, 50 million small businesses, and 25 million women entrepreneurs into the digital economy by 2025.

Senior Vice President for Digital Partnerships at Mastercard Middle East and Africa, Muhammad Nana, stated: “Our digital partnerships strategy focuses on enabling the digital transformation of our partners, helping them provide their customers with access to a seamless global payment ecosystem. With over 150 million Airtel Africa consumers now connected to the global digital economy, we are helping more consumers access the benefits of e-commerce.”

With increasing mobile internet access and the growth of affordable smartphones, African consumers are poised to take full advantage of this new solution. The Airtel Money GlobalPay Card empowers users—both banked and unbanked—to shop globally, connecting them to digital products and services right from their mobile phones.

How to Link Airtel Money GlobalPay Card:

• Download the MyAirtel App from Playstore or App Store
• Select Airtel Money and enter your PIN
• Opt in for the Airtel Money GlobalPay Card powered by Mastercard and accept the terms and conditions
• Top-up your card from your Airtel Money wallet and start shopping

Federal government has launched the Digital Bridge Institute DBI global certificate licensing programme.

The launch which took place at the DBI Lagos Campus, South west Nigeria on Tuesday, is seen as a significant step towards addressing Nigeria’s growing digital skills gap.

The programme themed; “Empowering Talent, Certifying Excellence, Transforming Industries,” is designed to equip individuals and organisations with the skills and certifications needed to thrive in the digital economy.

Stressing the importance of the initiative, David Daser. president and CEO of DBI, said “this programme marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s drive to equip its citizens with the necessary digital skills to succeed in the modern economy.

“The programmed will not only offer high-quality training but also open new doors for collaboration and growth within the technology sector.

“We are here today to create pathways for growth, empower individuals, and position Nigeria as a leader in the global digital space.

“DBI, which is wholly owned by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has long been at the forefront of ICT education in Nigeria,”he said.

According to him, the institute is licensed by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and maintains partnerships with some of the world’s leading tech organisations, including Cisco, Microsoft, and Huawei.

These affiliations he said, enable DBI to deliver top-tier ICT training and certifications that are globally recognised.

“Our partnerships allow us to provide internationally acknowledged certifications, ensuring that the skills acquired here meet global standards,” saying that Nigeria is currently facing a significant digital skills gap, particularly among its youth.

According to a UNICEF report, only 7 of Nigerians aged 15-24 have marketable ICT skills, leaving a vast majority underprepared for the demands of the digital economy.

Dasar also quoted a 2020 report by Palladium Group which revealed that over 50% of Nigerian youth are either underemployed or unemployed due to a disconnect between their education and the skills needed in the job market emphasising the importance of addressing the issue through the DBI Certificate Licensing Programme.

“The gap between the skills our youth possess and what is required by the job, market must be closed. This programme is designed to provide access to industry-recognised training that will boost employability and help fill the growing gap in the ICT sector.”

He said that the programme, officially known as the Global Certification and Training Partnership Programme (GTP/GCP), was developed through extensive collaboration with industry experts, academia, and government bodies.

Daser expressed the hope that the initiative would see DBI license its training programmes to qualified institutions and trainers across Nigeria, enabling them to deliver DBI’s curriculum to learners nationwide.

“This is an important step in democratising access to ICT education, particularly in underserved regions. We are not just bringing training to Lagos but to every corner of Nigeria,”he explained.

The DBI Certificate Licensing Programme is aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which prioritises economic growth, youth development, and job creation.

“This initiative supports President Tinubu’s vision of preparing Nigeria’s youth for the high-demand jobs in the technology sector, enhancing their employability and driving economic growth.

“This is not just about providing training but also about contributing to the broader national goals of job creation and economic diversification,”he stated.

Reports also shows that the Global Certificate Licensing programme further aligns with the strategic objectives of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, particularly its 2023-2027 plan to strengthen Nigeria’s knowledge economy and digital infrastructure.

The President of the DBI said that “Through this initiative, DBI is contributing to Nigeria’s ambition to establish a skilled workforce capable of competing on the global stage.

“I call on educational institutions, trainers, and private sector organisations to join us in shaping the future of Nigeria’s digital landscape.”

He also encouraged the media to spread the word about the programme, which he believes has the potential to make a lasting impact on Nigeria’s economy and workforce.

Dr Bosun Tijani. minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and Dr Aliyu Maida, executive vice chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), described the programme as a step in the right direction for Nigeria saying It will ensure that Nigerian youth are not left behind in the digital age.

According to the Minister, with the launch of the DBI Certificate Licensing Programme, Nigeria is poised to make a bold leap toward bridging its digital skills gap and preparing its workforce for the future.

“The programme promises to equip individuals with globally recognised certifications and the skills needed to excel in the ICT sector.

“This initiative is not just about training, it is about creating opportunities, fostering innovation, and building a stronger, more competitive Nigeria.

“By empowering individuals with the necessary digital skills, the DBI Certificate Licensing Programme aims to play a key role in job creation, innovation, and economic development across Nigeria.

“The launch marks a significant step toward transforming Nigeria into a global leader in ICT, positioning the country to meet the demands of the ever-evolving digital economy”, the Minister said.

Dr. Niran Oyekale, chairman of Commit Technology and Consult Ltd, highlighted the global skills gap and urged Nigeria to act swiftly.

He stressed the need for Nigeria to lead in digital skills training, citing a potential shortfall of 85 million skilled workers worth $8.5 trillion.

Oyekale emphasised Nigeria’s youthful population could bridge this gap but must be equipped with necessary skills.

Oyekale noted that future jobs demand skills over traditional degrees.

He stated that “digital literacy is the minimum requirement for employment in today’s digital economy,” yet no Nigerian higher education institutions are graduating future leaders with essential skills.

The Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), established in 2004 as the training arm of the NCC and it aims to address this through ICT/Digital training.

The number of Trojan banker attacks on smartphones surged by 196% in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to a Kaspersky report “The mobile malware threat landscape in 2024” released at Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona.

Cybercriminals are shifting tactics, relying on mass malware distribution to steal banking credentials. Over the past year, Kaspersky detected more than 33.3 million attacks on smartphone users globally, involving various types of malware and unwanted software.

The number of Trojan banker attacks on Android smartphones increased from 420,000 in 2023 to 1,242,000 in 2024. Trojan banker malware is designed to steal user credentials for online banking, e-payment services and credit card systems.

Cybercriminals trick victims into downloading Trojan bankers by spreading links via SMS or messaging apps, as well as through malicious attachments in messengers, and by directing users to malicious webpages.

They can even send messages from a hacked contact’s account, making the fraud appear more trustworthy. To deceive users, attackers often exploit trending news and hype topics to create a sense of urgency and lower victims’ guard.

“Scammers have started to scale down their efforts to create unique malware packages, focusing instead on distributing the same files to as many victims as possible.

It is more important than ever to be cyber-literate and educate your loved ones – from children to the elderly – because no one is completely safe from well-crafted scams and psychological tricks designed to steal banking data,” says Anton Kivva, a security expert at Kaspersky.

Although Trojan bankers are the fastest-growing type of malware, they rank fourth overall in terms of the share of attacked users at 6%. The most widespread category remains AdWare, accounting for 57% of attacked users, followed by general Trojans (25%) and RiskTools (12%). The ranking includes malware, adware and unwanted software.

In 2024, cybercriminals launched an average of 2.8 million malware, adware, and unwanted software attacks on mobile devices each month. Over the year, Kaspersky products blocked a total of 33.3 million attacks.

In 2024, Fakemoney, a group of scam apps designed for fake investments and payouts, was the most active threat. Another major concern was modified versions of WhatsApp that contained the Triada-type Trojan – a malware that can download and execute additional malicious or adware modules, for example, to display advertisements or perform other unwanted actions. These unofficial WhatsApp mods ranked third in activity, just behind a general category of cloud-based generic threats.