Africa’s Talking and Chenosis revolutionise mobile security
In a move to reshape the mobile technology landscape on the continent, Africa’s Talking – an indigenous mobile communication platform – and Chenosis, MTN’s API marketplace, have announced a strategic partnership.
This collaboration introduces the SIM Swap API, a powerful tool designed to fortify mobile security and unlock new possibilities for developers across the continent.
The SIM Swap API is specifically designed to combat the growing threat of SIM swap fraud. It enables developers to verify whether a user’s SIM card has been recently changed, providing a crucial layer of security for mobile-based transactions and services.
This partnership aims to protect users through various applications of the SIM Swap API. Among its many uses, the API offers financial security for banks and fintech companies that can integrate the API to add an extra verification step before processing high-risk transactions, significantly reducing the risk of fraudulent activities.
Beyond financial security, the API facilitates digital identity verification, enhancing access to government services, online marketplaces and more. This reliable method for confirming user identities will enhance trust in digital ecosystems.
Telecommunications fraud prevention is another key benefit, as mobile network operators can leverage the API to detect and prevent unauthorised SIM swaps, thereby protecting their customers and reducing operational losses.
“This partnership with Chenosis marks a pivotal moment in Africa’s mobile technology journey. By combining our developer-friendly platform with the Chenosis extensive network reach, we’re not just creating a product but we are nurturing an ecosystem where innovation can thrive securely,” says Paul Wamalwa, director at Africa’s Talking.
Adds Chenosis CEO Saad Syed: “Our API has been developed to help clients across Africa secure their interaction with their client base, by minimising the risk of mobile identity fraud, while simultaneously enhancing the user experience.”
Chenosis, a cross-industry API marketplace launched by MTN, enables business, entrepreneurs and developers to integrate into a wide range of open APIs across various sectors such as telecoms, health, government, financial services and entertainment.
Mobile identity fraud represents a significant challenge for companies across Africa as they seek to secure their communications with clients and prevent unscrupulous actors from fraudulently accessing sensitive data and funds.
“This problem affects all sectors,” Syed notes. “Whether you are in financial services or in retail, it impacts any two organisations where sums of cash must safely move between point A and point B in an online or mobile space.”
As mobile technology continues to drive economic growth across Africa, the partnership between Africa’s Talking and Chenosis promises to play a crucial role in achieving progress and catalysing growth across the continental. By providing developers with tools to create secure, scalable solutions, this collaboration is set to accelerate digital transformation across sectors – from finance and healthcare to education and beyond.
The SIM Swap API is now available to developers on the Africa’s Talking platform, with plans for rollout across multiple African countries in the coming months.
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