The Chief Operating Officer of Fintech Solutions, Cristina J. S. Swan Awagah, has expressed concern over the increasing cases of online fraud and called for stronger cybersecurity habits particularly among young people.

Speaking at the Africa Digital Dialogue on Friday, November 7, 2025, under the theme “Beyond Mobile Money: Fintech’s Next Frontiers,” she emphasized that oversharing personal information online has become one of the easiest ways for cybercriminals to exploit individuals.

The dialogue, hosted by MG Digital in partnership with the Africa Digital Foundation, formed part of the annual Africa Digital Festival (ADF)—a major event celebrating innovation and digital transformation across the continent. This year’s edition brought together policymakers, investors, creators, and startups from over 20 African countries to promote collaboration in FinTech, AgriTech, e-Health, and Artificial Intelligence.

Cristina Awagah highlighted that as fintech adoption expands, the importance of digital literacy and online safety cannot be overstated. With many young Africans active on social media, she cautioned that weak passwords and the habit of sharing personal milestones online make users vulnerable to cyberattacks.

“A lot of fraud cases now involve the youth. We give away so much information on social media—birthdays, personal details—and even use those same details as passwords for our important accounts,” she said. “We must learn how to create strong passwords and understand what information to share and what to keep private.”

Eunice A. Ankomah, a Strategic Communications and DFS Professional, also called on financial service providers to move beyond flashy marketing campaigns and focus on building trust through customer education.

“Adoption is not driven by beautiful campaigns but by trust,” she noted. “Financial service providers must ensure that customers truly understand the services being offered. When customers are educated, they’re less likely to fall victim to fraud caused by negligence.”

She further stressed the need for inclusive communication strategies, explaining that not all customers can read or access SMS notifications.

“In customer education, it’s important to know who you’re addressing and how best they receive information. What about the elderly woman in a rural area with no formal education? How can we ensure she understands how to protect her PIN? We shouldn’t generalize—every customer needs a communication approach that works for them,” she added.

Technology and innovation expert Emmanuel Kpiki also shared how fintech institutions are tightening internal systems to protect clients’ data.

“We regularly audit our systems and ensure that when staff leave an organization, their access rights are immediately revoked,” Kpiki explained. “We’ve implemented cybersecurity directives to strengthen institutional frameworks, prevent transaction fraud, and enhance data encryption and decryption processes.”

The Africa Digital Dialogue concluded that as fintech continues to evolve, the next phase of Africa’s digital economy will depend heavily on cybersecurity, consumer trust, and financial literacy. Beyond mobile money, participants agreed that true innovation must be built on a foundation of safety, education, and ethical digital practices.

A cyberattack targeting Collins Aerospace, a global provider of check-in and boarding systems, has disrupted operations at several major European airports, including London’s Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin, leading to widespread delays and cancellations on Saturday.

Heathrow Airport confirmed that departing passengers faced delays due to a technical fault in Collins Aerospace’s systems, which provide key services for airlines worldwide. Brussels and Berlin airports issued similar statements, noting that automated check-in and baggage systems had been rendered inoperable since Friday night, forcing a switch to manual operations.

RTX, the parent company of Collins Aerospace, acknowledged the incident as a “cyber-related disruption” but did not specify which airports were affected. The company added that the problem was limited to electronic check-in and baggage handling and assured that teams were working to restore full service.

Brussels Airport described the impact as “large,” warning of ongoing delays and cancellations. Passengers with Saturday flights were urged to confirm arrangements with their airlines before heading to the airport.

Berlin Airport also posted an alert on its website, citing longer waiting times at check-in and promising a swift resolution.

Meanwhile, Frankfurt Airport and Zurich Airport confirmed they were not affected by the disruption.

The government has appointed global audit and advisory firm KPMG as a transaction advisor to guide the restructuring and future direction of AT Ghana, the state-owned telecommunications company struggling with debts exceeding $150 million.

The intervention comes in the wake of escalating tensions between AT Ghana and its tower operator, ATC Ghana, over unpaid charges, which recently led to the nationwide disconnection of AT’s radio access networks. The action, triggered by long-standing indebtedness, nearly left over three million subscribers without service.

Crisis Management

To avert a total blackout, the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, announced last Friday that government had directed AT and Telecel Ghana to establish a national roaming agreement. This measure, implemented through the National Communications Authority (NCA), has ensured uninterrupted access to voice, SMS, data, and AT Money services.

Mr. George praised the swift technical collaboration between the two operators, describing their work under difficult conditions as proof of Ghana’s strong telecom expertise.

KPMG has been given 60 days to provide recommendations on restructuring AT Ghana and reviewing government’s shareholding in Telecel Ghana. The ultimate goal, the Minister explained, is to create a strong second operator to balance the country’s telecom market, currently dominated by MTN.

No Merger or Acquisition

Responding to speculation, Mr. George clarified that the current process is neither a merger nor an acquisition.

“What we are witnessing is not a merger and neither is it an acquisition. This is a faux-merger situation, pending the outcome of KPMG’s advisory report,” he stressed.

The final decision on AT Ghana’s future will depend on KPMG’s findings and subsequent government action.

Protecting Jobs

Addressing concerns about staff, Mr. George assured that none of AT’s 300 permanent employees would lose their jobs. He also revealed that the transaction advisor would assess the situation of over 200 contract staff.

“The government is committed to protecting AT workers and their dependents from any adverse effects of the restructuring,” he affirmed.

Stakeholders, including subscribers, creditors, suppliers, and tower operators, have been urged to await KPMG’s report for clarity on the company’s long-term direction.