Countering Misinformation in Africa:

Local Approaches
to AI-Powered Challenges

By the Numbers

0.77%

Sub-Saharan Africa’s share of global AI research publications (2010-2021)

87%

of Facebook’s misinformation budget is spent on English content
(though only 9% speak it)

138.5%

Kenya’s mobile phone penetration rate

1.06%

African publications’ contribution to the global AI research corpus

Executive Summary

Africa faces a critical information crisis: AI tools can generate misinformation across local languages while major platforms invest minimally in non-English content moderation. Yet innovative African-led solutions like Dubawa AI are emerging that could become global models.

This white paper examines how AI is reshaping misinformation challenges across Africa and offers a framework for building resilient information ecosystems through digital literacy, language-specific approaches, platform accountability, and multi-stakeholder coordination.

Drawing from expert insights across media research, law, technology, and public health communications, with Kenya and Nigeria as case studies, the research highlights how Africa's young population positions the continent to lead innovative responses to global misinformation challenges.

Listen to an overview below:

Our Expert Panel

  • Toni Adewuyi

    Senior Data and Communications Coordinator at a humanitarian NGO and Senior Marketing Manager at a media production startup. Adewuyi brings expertise in data analysis, public health communications, and strategic messaging, with a focus on the intersection of misinformation and health outcomes.

  • Silas Jonathan

    Head of the DIDAC team at the Centre for Journalism Investigative Development, Jonathan is an expert in media research and open source intelligence, with extensive experience tracking disinformation campaigns across sub-Saharan Africa and developing technological solutions for fact-checking.

  • Demas Kiprono

    Public interest lawyer and human rights advocate with over 13 years of experience in freedom of expression and digital policies in Kenya. Kiprono has been at the forefront of legal challenges against both government overreach and platform accountability in digital spaces.

  • Mikhail Nyamweya

    Researcher focusing on judicial policies and misinformation in African democracies. Nyamweya studies the intersection of technology, governance, and democratic participation, with expertise in Kenya’s digital landscape.