The return of Donald Trump to political prominence has led to a concerning rise in misinformation, particularly affecting African countries.
Researchers are warning that a shift in online media is unfolding, fueled by global geopolitical disruptions and growing distrust in traditional sources of information.
This surge in disinformation has left several African nations grappling with manipulated narratives, making it more challenging to discern fact from fiction.
South Africa: Land Confiscation Claims
South Africa has found itself at the center of controversy, especially after Trump made claims regarding land confiscation. He accused the South African government of seizing land from white farmers without compensation, a claim that quickly went viral on social media.
However, this claim was debunked by experts and officials.
The law in question clearly states that the government must provide fair compensation for any expropriated property.
While Trump’s comments suggested a grave injustice, the facts tell a different story.
There has been no widespread land confiscation, and the reality is far less dramatic than what Trump’s statements implied.
The controversy escalated when Trump offered “safe refuge” to South Africa’s Afrikaner minority, resurrecting the false narrative of “white genocide.”
Social media posts falsely claimed that 60 white farmers were being killed every day, with others citing over 4,000 murders in the past six years.
In reality, statistics from farmers’ associations showed that around 50 people of all races are killed on farms annually, and the total number of farm-related murders over the past 30 years is closer to 3,000.
The overwhelming majority of murders in South Africa are of young black men in urban areas.
Political analysts like Gideon Chitanga have criticized Trump’s statements, calling them irresponsible and potentially dangerous.
Trust Matsilele, a senior journalism lecturer, also emphasized the harmful effects of such propaganda, which feeds into existing racial tensions.
Nigeria: AI and Disinformation
In Nigeria, Trump’s return to prominence has fueled the spread of disinformation, particularly among critics of the government.
Supporters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement, advocating for secession, have been using artificial intelligence to generate fake content supporting their cause.
This includes doctored videos of Trump allegedly endorsing the group, as well as other videos featuring fabricated endorsements from foreign leaders like Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
These AI-generated videos and manipulated posts reflect the growing influence of disinformation in Nigerian politics, with some using exaggerated claims about health crises like HIV/AIDS to attack the government.
Others falsely claimed that Nigerian politicians were being deported or had their assets seized by the U.S. under Trump’s immigration policies.
Lanre Olagunju, a fact-checker, points out that Trump’s strategic use of social media during his first term institutionalized disinformation as a political tool.
This trend continues to have a significant impact on political discourse in Nigeria, where disinformation has become a powerful tool for opposition groups.
Kenya: Disinformation Amid Political Tensions
Kenya has also seen an increase in disinformation since Trump’s return.
One example was a manipulated TikTok video that falsely suggested former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had attended Trump’s inauguration in January.
Other fabricated claims included false reports that Kenya had withdrawn from the World Health Organization in response to Trump’s decision to exit the UN health body.
Odanga Madung, a researcher on technology and society, noted that Trump’s return had empowered far-right conspiracy theorists worldwide.
In Kenya, political moves like the demonization of fact-checkers and the halting of crucial foreign aid programs have made it harder for people to filter out misinformation.
This is especially concerning as the country heads toward the 2027 elections, where digital politics and online attacks on media outlets are expected to intensify.
Nyakerario Omari, a disinformation expert, stressed that Kenyan media outlets are already facing significant pressure, and the rise of digital politics will likely lead to more challenges in combating false narratives.
The ongoing struggle against disinformation in Kenya is part of a larger global trend, as the way we communicate and process information continues to evolve rapidly.
A Call for Action
As misinformation continues to spread, experts like Chitanga call for new strategies to filter and combat disinformation.
The impact of such falsehoods on political stability and social cohesion cannot be underestimated, and there is an urgent need for greater media literacy and fact-checking to ensure that truth prevails in the face of growing digital manipulation.