Truecaller Names Nigeria Africa's Spam Call Hub

Nigeria Emerges as the Most Spammed Country in Africa

Nigeria has been identified as the most spammed country in Africa, according to a recent report by Truecaller. The findings reveal that over half of all unknown calls received by Nigerians in 2025 were categorized as spam or fraudulent. Specifically, 51% of these calls were flagged as spam, placing Nigeria eighth globally and ahead of several African nations such as South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and Ethiopia.

The report highlights that telecom companies and network-related promotions are the primary sources of spam calls in Nigeria. Telecom-related calls accounted for 35% of all spam, while sales and telemarketing activities contributed 10%. Scam calls made up 6% of the total, indicating a growing concern for users who now find it increasingly difficult to distinguish between legitimate callers and fraudsters.

Truecaller noted that many Nigerians struggle to determine whether an unknown caller is a genuine network provider, a marketer, or a fraudster impersonating a trusted company. This uncertainty underscores the need for improved consumer awareness and stronger protective measures.

Global Spam Trends and Regional Insights

While Nigeria faces significant challenges with spam calls, the issue is not unique to Africa. Brazil also experiences similar problems, with telecom-related calls dominating its spam activities. Globally, Indonesia leads the list of the most spammed countries, with 79% of unknown calls marked as spam. Chile follows closely with 70%, while Vietnam, Brazil, and India complete the top five.

The report also highlighted the rapid growth of Truecaller’s user base in the Middle East and Africa region. By late 2025, the region surpassed 100 million monthly active users, making it one of the company’s fastest-growing markets.

Future Plans and User Growth

Truecaller’s Chief Executive Officer, Rishit Jhunjhunwala, emphasized that fraud and impersonation calls have become a serious global concern. He stated that the company plans to focus more on preventing fraudulent calls before they reach users in 2026. This proactive approach aims to enhance user safety and reduce the impact of spam calls on individuals and businesses alike.

In addition to its efforts to combat spam, Truecaller announced that it surpassed 500 million monthly active users worldwide as of March 31, 2026. More than 150 million of these users are located outside India, reflecting the company’s expanding global influence.

Key Statistics from the Report

• Spam Call Percentage in Nigeria: 51%
• Top Spam Call Categories in Nigeria:
• Telecom-related calls: 35%
• Sales and telemarketing: 10%
• Scam calls: 6%
• Global Leaders in Spam:
• Indonesia: 79%
• Chile: 70%
• Vietnam: 65%
• Brazil: 60%
• India: 58%
• Truecaller’s Monthly Active Users (as of March 31, 2026): 500 million
• Users outside India: 150 million
• Middle East and Africa Region Growth: Surpassed 100 million monthly active users by late 2025