Nigeria and South Africa Launch Dual Front War on Election Lies and Corruption
Nigeria has trained over 100 social media influencers from Northern Nigeria to counter the spread of false information online, while South Africa’s Electoral Commission is seeking public input on a new rulebook to fight disinformation during elections [189047][190003]. These parallel initiatives reflect growing efforts across Africa to protect electoral integrity and combat misinformation.
The Nigerian presidency, through Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Enlightenment, Mr Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, organized the training for influencers to learn how to use social media effectively to share accurate news and combat misinformation [190003]. The program targets the spread of false information online, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s Electoral Commission has published a draft “Electoral Code of Conduct on Countering Disinformation” and opened it for public comment, with citizens having until 21 July 2026 to submit their views [189047]. The commission wants public input on a new rulebook specifically designed to fight disinformation during elections.
In a related development, Uganda has launched a nationwide campaign to expose and fight corruption in local governments, with President Yoweri Museveni set to headline the launch during a three-day visit to Bulambuli District from July 8 to 10, 2026 [190008]. The initiative targets graft at the grassroots level, where mismanagement of public funds often goes unchecked.
Malawi is also taking action by modernizing its legal framework for trusts to close money laundering loopholes. The government held a stakeholder meeting in Lilongwe to gather input on a Draft Trusts Bill, which officials describe as long overdue, aiming to tighten oversight and prevent financial crimes through clearer rules on trust management [189035].