Telecom
Mobile Data Remains Africa’s Cash Cow for Telcos
International Data Corporation Insight has found that mobile data will remain the operators’ cash cow in 2014, aside the exponential increase in mobile data forcing telecommunications operators in Africa to rethink their network and data service strategies.
Mobile data services have continued to gain prominence in the business models of Middle East and Africa operators.
While those in the Middle East have remained at the forefront of technological development and invested heavily in building ubiquitous next-generation networks, operators in Africa, however, have taken a more cautious approach, with sporadic network evolution centered on highly populous areas and major commercial centers.
Thus, IDC predicted that in 2014, mobile data will remain a cash cow for regional telcos. However, the growing popularity of data-hungry applications and services, particularly video, will contribute to an exponential increase in data traffic and make network investment economics difficult to justify.
To spur the trend is the belief that the regulatory environment will become more progressive and stimulate competition.
IDC noted that Telecommunications markets in MEA have expanded significantly over the last decade, backed by progressive regulatory environments and conscious efforts by the regulatory authorities to stimulate competition.
The first era of market liberalization was marked by the opening of mobile markets to new operators, followed by progressive reforms to introduce new services (e.g., 3G) and/or the opening up of markets to competitors.
Having done this, regional regulators will strive to improve the market dynamics in 2014, accelerating the development of new services in addition to increasing competition.
Regulators can approach this in three primary ways: by introducing mobile number portability; by opening markets to mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs); and by releasing spectrum for next-generation 3G/LTE networks.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek had earlier in the week reported that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will auction the 2.3 GHz band for commercial assignment on a national basis during the week commencing February 17, 2014.
The spectrum is one unpaired block of 30 MHz, adjoining a 10MHz guard band with the adjacent 2.4 GHz band. The specification is: • 2360 – 2390 MHz – Spectrum on offer; and 2360 – 2390 MHz – Spectrum.
Meanwhile, IDC also said that operator media transformation will continue as acquisitions are on the cards.
Thus, in 2014, operators will move beyond merely setting up businesses to forming clear strategies to help them play a broader role in the digital economy.
“Service evolution will force operators to rethink their strategies and recognize the importance of the customer experience. As the usage of smartphones and mobile social media is growing rapidly in the MEA region, marketers are more cognizant of consumers’ locations and preferences. Many organizations will explore ways to work closely with operators, media companies, and app developers to create targeted marketing practices in the region, which will prove to be a win-win situation for all involved.
“Telecommunications services are evolving as social media, multiscreen offerings, mobile applications, and OTT services increasingly influence consumer behavior. It is imperative for operators to understand consumer behavior and push products and services in line with their expectations. This will eventually help operators to counter declining service engagement cycles and improve customer experience.
“As markets continue to evolve, more customers are eschewing core telecommunications services in favor of rich OTT services,” said Paul Black, director of telecommunications and media at IDC Middle East, Africa, and Turkey. “This is forcing regional operators to reevaluate their business models, data offerings, tariff packages, and even network rollout plans, as well as go-to-market strategies. While traditional services are still offered, operators are expanding their role in the digital value chain by promoting local content generation and application development. Operators are also looking at adjacent markets and exploring new digital services opportunities.”
“For digital media providers and OTT players,” Black continues, “the changing market dynamics provide unique opportunities to establish direct relationships with end users. However, the business models are still evolving, and the ability to pay for these services, despite their growing usage, remains low throughout the Middle East and Africa (MEA). In this scenario, the importance of partnerships between telcos, content providers, OTT players, and digital media companies is growing.”
MTN Uganda is seeking input from stakeholders on a plan to structurally separate its mobile money service, MoMo, from its core telecoms business.
According to the company, the proposed change will be discussed at the upcoming extraordinary general meeting on July 2.
If approved, the telco’s fintech business will be run by a new company controlled by MTN Group Fintech Holdings B.V. and a trust benefiting minority shareholders following a merger.
Additionally, the restructuring also aligns with MTN Group’s ambition 2025 strategy which aims to unlock value, attract new investors, and strengthen regulatory compliance by creating standalone fintech entities in Uganda, Ghana, and Nigeria.
The company’s fintech division has over 13 million customers, with an 18.4% revenue increase in the first quarter of 2025, driven by 19.0% growth in mobile money services, 19.8% growth in transaction volumes, and a 31.4% increase in transaction value.
Reports say the decision is part of the telco’s compliance with the National Payment Systems Act 2020, which mandates mobile money businesses to operate as standalone entities, and to align with MTN Group’s regional fintech strategy.
MTN Uganda, which is led by CEO Sylvia Mulinge, highlighted that the implementation of the proposed transaction will be subjected to a number of conditions and regulatory procedures.
“The implementation of the proposed transaction shall be subject to a number of conditions, including the company and MTN MoMo receiving all required regulatory approvals and no-objections and complying with any regulatory conditions,” said MTN Uganda in notice.
Netflix has announced plans to invest more than €1 billion in Spanish film and television productions over the next four years, reinforcing its commitment to Spain as a key creative hub in Europe.
The announcement was made by co-chief executive Ted Sarandos at an event held at Netflix’s production studios near Madrid, celebrating the company’s 10-year presence in the country.
Sarandos emphasized that the investment would contribute significantly to Spain’s economy, create jobs, and enable the streaming platform to produce more local content. He was joined by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in unveiling the initiative.
Netflix first established its international production studios in Madrid in 2019, following the success of the Spanish-language hit series Money Heist.
Since then, its 22,000-square-meter facility has become one of Netflix’s major production centers within the European Union.
The company currently supports over 20,000 jobs in Spain, highlighting the nation’s growing influence in global entertainment.
The investment reflects Netflix’s ongoing strategy to expand its presence in European markets through original content and local talent.
Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT) has raised alarms over a new wave of advanced cyberattacks targeting Android mobile phones through a malware campaign dubbed Tria Stealer.
The malicious software is designed to infiltrate Android devices, hijack messaging accounts, intercept One-Time Passwords (OTPs), to steal sensitive personal and financial data.
According to ngCERT, Tria Stealer spreads primarily through deceptive tactics, such as fake event invitations distributed via popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram.
Unsuspecting users are enticed to download an infected (APK) file, often disguised as a harmless system application, to evade detection.
Once installed, Tria Stealer requests extensive permissions, including access to SMS, call logs, and app notifications.
It immediately commences data harvesting activities, sending stolen information to a Command and Control (C2) server operated via Telegram bots.
This trojan spreads through fake links, usually disguised as wedding or event invites, and tricks users into downloading malicious APK files
“Account takeover of messaging platforms. Impersonation of victim for fraudulent money transfer requests. Compromise of banking and financial applications. Identity theft and credential harvesting.”
In plain terms, if your phone is compromised, the consequences could be catastrophic.
Your financial apps are vulnerable, your reputation could be ruined by impersonation and even simple personal messages could be twisted into tools for scams.
Here’s what users should be doing now:
Don’t download apps outside the official Play Store.
Be suspicious of random invites or links, even from people you know.
Turn on 2FA for everything—banking, emails, social platforms.
Get a reputable antivirus and keep it updated.
If you run an organisation, you should already be taking this seriously.
ngCERT’s guidance says you should raise awareness, monitor mobile devices, and not let your team click on unverified links.
“Deploy network monitoring for suspicious outbound connections to known C2 domains,” it said, meaning, keep an eye on every digital door in and out.
This isn’t one of those cases where you wait to see if it affects you. By the time you realise it, it may already be too late.
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