Technology firm Knot has unveiled an AI–powered ticketing platform aimed at combating ticket fraud, curbing unauthorised resale, and reducing revenue losses across the global events industry, a development that could hold significant benefits for Nigeria’s rapidly expanding entertainment and public sector events.
The platform, which uses advanced AI algorithms to authenticate tickets in real time and monitor resale activity, is designed to address long-standing challenges associated with counterfeit tickets, duplicate QR codes, and exploitative secondary markets. These issues have increasingly undermined trust in global ticketing.
A Global Problem With Local Consequences
Ticket fraud has become a major concern for event organisers, artists, sports bodies, and consumers. Fraudulent ticket sales not only result in financial losses but also create security risks, overcrowding, and reputational damage for event hosts.
In Nigeria, the problem is particularly pronounced. High-profile music concerts, football matches, religious conventions, political rallies, and technology conferences often attract large crowds, making them vulnerable to ticket cloning, illegal resale, and gate-crashing.
Consumers frequently report purchasing tickets online only to discover at the event that the tickets are counterfeit or have already been used.
Industry observers say these challenges have slowed the adoption of fully digital ticketing in Nigeria, despite the country’s growing smartphone penetration and digital payment usage.
How Knot’s AI Platform Works
Knot’s ticketing solution applies artificial intelligence across the ticket lifecycle. Each ticket is uniquely generated and authenticated through real-time verification systems, ensuring it can be used only once. The platform also links tickets to verified users, reducing anonymity and limiting opportunities for large-scale scalping.
AI-driven analytics monitor purchasing and resale patterns, flagging suspicious activity such as bulk buying, rapid reselling, or repeated access attempts. Event organisers are provided with dashboards that allow them to track ticket distribution, manage entry points, and regulate approved resale channels where necessary.
According to the company, the platform is designed to integrate with existing event management and access-control systems, making it adaptable for venues of varying sizes and technological capacity.
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What This Means for Nigeria
Nigeria’s creative and events economy has grown significantly in recent years, driven by the global rise of Afrobeat, increased interest in sports entertainment, and a thriving conference and exhibition scene. However, weak ticketing infrastructure continues to hinder sustainable growth.
An AI-powered ticketing system like Knot’s could offer several benefits for Nigeria. By reducing counterfeit tickets, consumers would enjoy greater protection and confidence when purchasing event access.
For organisers, improved ticket security would help ensure that revenue reaches legitimate channels rather than fraud networks.
Enhanced ticket verification could also improve crowd control and safety, a critical concern in a country where overcrowding at events has occasionally led to security incidents and disruptions.
Beyond Entertainment
Experts note that the application of AI ticketing in Nigeria could extend beyond concerts and sports. The technology could be deployed in public transportation systems, national examinations, certification testing, and large-scale government or cultural events, where access control and identity verification are essential.
Such applications would align with Nigeria’s broader digital transformation agenda and support efforts to build trust in technology-driven public service
Challenges to its Adoption.
Despite its potential, the successful deployment of AI-powered ticketing in Nigeria would depend on several factors. Reliable internet connectivity at event venues, affordable access to scanning devices, and adequate training for event staff remain key requirements. Data protection and compliance with Nigeria’s privacy regulations would also be critical to maintaining public trust.
Analysts warn that without addressing these infrastructural and regulatory issues, advanced ticketing solutions may struggle to achieve widespread adoption.
A Step Toward Smarter Event Management in Nigeria.
Knot’s launch reflects a broader trend toward the use of artificial intelligence to solve practical, real-world problems. As Nigeria continues to position itself as a hub for entertainment, culture, and innovation in Africa, secure and intelligent ticketing systems could play a vital role in professionalising the sector.
If effectively adopted and adapted, AI-powered ticketing could help Nigeria reduce fraud, improve event safety, and strengthen confidence in its growing digital economy.
Senior Reporter/Editor
Bio: Ugochukwu is a freelance journalist and Editor at AIbase.ng, with a strong professional focus on investigative reporting. He holds a degree in Mass Communication and brings extensive experience in news gathering, reporting, and editorial writing. With over a decade of active engagement across diverse news sources, he contributes in-depth analytical, practical, and expository articles that explore artificial intelligence and its real-world impact. His seasoned newsroom experience and well-established information networks provide AIbase.ng with credible, timely, and high-quality coverage of emerging AI developments.