The fake news epidemic: How disinformation is undermining Africa’s future

In the past, the most dangerous weapons in Africa were guns, machetes, and propaganda leaflets. Today, all it takes is a well-crafted lie shared on WhatsApp to sow fear, fuel tribal tensions, manipulate elections, or mislead a nation during a health crisis. Welcome to Africa’s new epidemic — fake news . While the continent battles issues like poverty, unemployment, and corruption, another silent but equally destructive threat is creeping through our societies: disinformation and misinformation . From viral videos to deepfake audios, fake health tips to political smear campaigns, Africa’s information space is under siege. And it’s not just an abstract problem. The consequences are very real — and deeply personal. When a message becomes a weapon In Zimbabwe, a doctored video clip of a politician “confessing” to election rigging spread like wildfire just days before voters went to the polls. In Nigeria, false claims that saltwater could cure Ebola led to multiple hospitalisations and even...