Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) has united to form an initiative: AFASG (Association Fraud Security Group) to handle severe fraud and security issues in the telecommunication sector in Africa.
The AFASG will be chaired by Unitel under a two-year mandate that is renewable for an extra two years, which is valid after a thorough evaluation has been carried out on the past work. The appointment is in line with a strategic leadership plan for the Group which was submitted in consideration of its members.
Founded in 2001, Unitel S.A. is a private Angolan mobile phone company which was established on 8 March 2001 as a joint-stock company. The company is owned by Oi and Helios, Angolan state-owned oil company Sonangol and local firms like Geni holding, and Vidatel owned by Isabel dos Santos, each holding 25% of Unitel.
See also: Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation, Fliptin, Microsoft Set up Technology Hub in SA
The mobile phone company has competed with MTN and with Wana Corporate, Morocco. The role of the chair will be held by the Director of Risk, Fraud and Security of Unitel, José Carlos Sobreira Martins.
The AFASG includes the major telecommunication groups in Africa, Orange (18 operations in Africa); MTN (18); Airtel (16); Vodafone / Vodacom (8) and Millicom / Tigo (4), and other individual mobile operators and Associate Members- technology vendors like Ericsson and Huawei.
AFASG is a unit of the GSMA Association, that represents the international interests of all mobile telecommunications operators in the world. Over 800 mobile operators, and more than 350 associated companies are part of the broader mobile ecosystem.