Based on its field missions across Africa, the Institute of Innovative Governance has developed a detailed report examining the evolution of disinformation and digital media manipulation on the continent. While these threats are global in nature, Africa’s information environment is shaped by a distinct historical and structural context.

For decades, state-controlled and post-colonial media systems limited pluralism and undermined public trust, fostering long-standing skepticism toward information sources. Persistent rural-urban divides, external political influence, and unequal access to education, particularly for women and youth, have further weakened media resilience and media literacy across African societies.

In recent years, these vulnerabilities have been increasingly exploited by external actors, including Russia, through coordinated disinformation campaigns, propaganda, and influence operations. The report analyses how historical, social, and technological factors intersect to create a fertile environment for contemporary information manipulation across Africa.