Kenyan authorities are stepping up efforts to combat SIM swap fraud and mobile device theft as Hayo, a global digital solutions provider, expands its National Mobile Registry (NMR) platform. The upgraded system provides real-time monitoring of mobile identities and devices, aiming to reduce financial crime, safeguard national revenue, and strengthen digital trust.
SIM swap scams—where criminals hijack mobile numbers to access bank accounts and digital services—pose a growing threat to Kenya, affecting an estimated 25% of mobile subscribers. Globally, the problem is intensifying: the UK saw SIM swap incidents surge more than 1,000% last year, according to Cifas.
Hayo’s enhanced platform equips governments and mobile operators with advanced detection tools that flag abnormal SIM or port-out activity within milliseconds, allowing authorities to prevent account takeovers before they reach victims. It also enables the removal of stolen or counterfeit devices from networks, addressing longstanding challenges in device regulation and grey-market imports.
“These upgrades are critical for protecting citizens, securing mobile networks, and safeguarding government revenue streams,” said Feraz Ahmed, CEO of Hayo. “By strengthening SIM and device intelligence, we’re giving authorities the tools to tackle fraud at scale and reinforce confidence in digital economies.”
For governments, the expanded NMR platform provides a unified, automated system to monitor compliance, reduce tax leakage, and improve enforcement against illegal or non-compliant devices. Integration with GSMA data and national blacklists gives regulators real-time oversight of mobile activity across networks.
Sergio Rodrigues, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Hayo, said the platform “reveals blind spots in mobile ecosystems, enabling authorities to protect citizens, curb fraud, and shield governments from revenue losses linked to counterfeit devices.”
Kenya has been an early adopter of the NMR framework, initially launched in June 2025 to strengthen compliance and close gaps in device regulation. The latest expansion comes as governments worldwide face mounting pressure to secure digital transactions and combat telecom-related financial crime.
With SIM swap scams rising sharply and grey-market devices undermining regulatory frameworks, the Hayo platform could play a pivotal role in securing Kenya’s mobile economy while protecting millions of citizens from increasingly sophisticated fraud.
