NCA Takes Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign to Makola Market
NCA Takes Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign to Makola Market
October 30, 2026 – The National Communications Authority (NCA) conducted a two-day cybersecurity awareness outreach at Makola Market on the 29th and 30th of October to educate traders, mobile money vendors, shoppers and other members of the public on protecting their digital accounts and recognising common forms of cyber fraud.
The outreach, dubbed Market Fusion Outreach, was organised by the Authority’s Cybersecurity Division in collaboration with its Consumer Affairs Division as part of activities marking National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM). The exercise covered Rawlings Park and surrounding market areas on the first day, with the team engaging the public along the way. The exercise was extended to the Makola Shopping Mall and other shopping areas on the second day.
The team engaged members of the public in multiple local languages, educating them on common cybersecurity threats, WhatsApp account security and tactics used to defraud mobile money users.
Participants were guided on enabling two-step verification on WhatsApp and other instant messaging applications, using stronger passwords, and keeping personal identification numbers (PINs) and one-time passwords (OTPs) confidential. They were also cautioned against responding to suspicious messages and calls, sharing sensitive authentication details or engaging with suspected fraudsters, whose tactics often rely on social engineering to deceive and exploit unsuspecting users.
The outreach also featured practical demonstrations, with NCA officials guiding some participants through the process of activating two-step verification on their personal devices. Members of the public were further advised to exercise caution when subscribing to unfamiliar services and to take steps to secure their devices and personal information. In addition, the team received complaints from consumers concerning telecommunications services and advised on the appropriate channels for escalation.
Through the Market Fusion Outreach, the NCA promoted cybersecurity awareness and the responsible use of digital communications, while equipping consumers with practical knowledge to protect themselves against online threats and fraud.
NCA/GN/2026/49
