The spread of misinformation has become a significant challenge for democracy across the African continent and globally. Exaggerated messages on WhatsApp, manipulated videos on TikTok, and false breaking news alerts on Facebook can easily mislead the public, especially during election periods. As artificial intelligence makes it easier to alter images and voices, many countries are working to improve their populations' ability to identify and counter fake news. However, questions remain about whether these efforts are genuinely aimed at raising awareness or if some governments are using them to control public opinion and silence dissenting voices.
Dani Madrid-Morales, a journalism lecturer at the University of Sheffield, notes that few African governments are currently doing an effective job in combating the influence of fake news. While civil society groups are stepping in to fill the gaps, their impact is often limited. In South Africa, organizations such as Africa Check and Media Monitoring Africa work to highlight the effects of disinformation on elections. Similar coalitions exist in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Senegal. Despite these efforts, many initiatives focus primarily on election periods and often lack the funding and sustained engagement needed to make a lasting difference outside of those times.
Some governments are also part of the problem, either by allowing disinformation to spread or by deliberately engaging in it. Madrid-Morales identifies three main types of disinformation: scams that cause financial loss, foreign influence operations, and political campaigns originating within a country. He observes that governments are particularly interested in the third category, which is prevalent in the Sahel region. In nations like Burkina Faso and Mali, military governments have shut down media outlets, prosecuted journalists, and expelled foreign correspondents to prevent negative or false information about themselves from circulating.
Foreign powers also play a role in shaping public opinion in Africa. A study by Afrobarometer, a pan-African research network, found that over 60 percent of respondents viewed China's political and economic influence positively. This was followed by 52 percent for the United States. Both countries have no colonial history in Africa and are currently vying for economic gains through infrastructure projects. In contrast, perceptions of former colonial powers vary. In French-speaking countries, only 34 percent of respondents viewed France's ongoing influence positively. Komi Amewonou from Afrobarometer suggests that these attitudes are not necessarily the result of targeted propaganda but rather the consequence of African governments allowing negative perceptions to persist.
Media literacy initiatives are attempting to educate people to think critically. In Ghana, the NGO Penplusbytes runs the Caravan of Hope, a project supported by the German development agency GIZ and DW Akademie. This mobile campaign uses theater, role-playing, and public discussions in local languages to bring media literacy training to rural communities. The initiative has reached 3,000 people in five districts. Rebecca Avusu from Penplusbytes emphasizes that information must be verified before it is shared, particularly for those without smartphones or limited formal education.
In South Africa, Africa Check visits schools to teach students how to identify manipulated images and verify sources. However, Madrid-Morales points out that media literacy programs can have downsides. Some young people become more discerning, while others lose trust in almost every source, leading to a lack of knowledge about important developments. In other parts of the continent, governments resist such initiatives. In 2026, the International Media and Information Literacy Institute was opened in Abuja, Nigeria, under UNESCO auspices. While the government aims to play a leading role in fighting fake news, civil rights groups argue that the state often blurs the line between battling disinformation and silencing public dissent.
Kenya faces similar concerns, as the Media Council of Kenya supports journalists but must abide by laws that can be used to silence views against the government. Madrid-Morales argues that independent oversight bodies are needed to ensure people do not refrain from expressing themselves for fear of reprisal. In Mozambique, the media institute MISA has launched fact-checking initiatives like MISACheck to train young journalists and activists. Olivia Massango, vice-president of MISA, warns that combating disinformation must not mean criminalizing opinions or journalistic work. She cites an internet blackout justified by public safety as an example of how state authorities may use the issue to protect what suits them.
Many African nations are turning to Europe for guidance on fighting fake news. Morocco and Senegal are among the countries with proposed legislation inspired by EU standards. Madrid-Morales stresses that while following strong EU legislation is important, independent oversight and enforcement mechanisms are also necessary. In both Senegal and Morocco, these mechanisms are yet to be established. Rebecca Avusu warns that laws designed to combat disinformation should not become instruments for silencing people who question government decisions or express legitimate opinions.
