TIKTOK has announced a $200,000 investment to promote artificial intelligence (AI) media literacy across Sub-Saharan Africa, as the region faces growing risks linked to deepfakes and other forms of AI-generated misinformation.
This was revealed during the third Sub-Saharan Africa Safer Internet Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya. The two-day event, held under the theme #SaferTogether: ‘Innovation and Safety’, brought together policymakers, technology experts, and civil society groups to discuss strategies for improving online safety and strengthening digital resilience.
The initiative comes at a time when digitally altered images, videos, or audio created using artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly sophisticated and accessible. Experts at the summit warned that such technologies can be used to spread misinformation, impersonate individuals, and manipulate public opinion.
”The speed of AI evolution is breathtaking, but the speed of human gullibility is our biggest vulnerability,” noted David Ajikobi, Nigeria Editor at Africa Check.
“This funding allows us to scale our ‘verification-first’ mindset to millions who are seeing AI content for the first time.”
With social media platforms playing a central role in information sharing, technology companies are under pressure to ensure users can recognize misleading content and engage responsibly with emerging digital tools. TikTok says improving AI literacy among internet users is critical to reducing the risks associated with synthetic media.
Partnerships with African organisations
The $200,000 support forms part of TikTok’s wider $2 million global AI Literacy Fund, launched in November 2025. This investment builds on the company’s initial fund which awarded 20 global nonprofits to create content that boosts public understanding of AI.
Several African organisations are among the beneficiaries of the program. These include the fact-checking organisation Africa Check.
Another beneficiary is the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), whose fact-checking platform DUBAWA focuses on tackling information disorder and strengthening the capacity of journalists and media professionals.
Youth-focused organisation Mtoto News is also involved in the initiative, producing educational content designed to help young people and children understand artificial intelligence and engage with digital technology responsibly.
“We want to turn them into ‘digital detectives’ who can spot a manipulated video before they hit the share button,” said Jennifer Kaberi, CEO of Mtoto News.
TikTok has also introduced policies requiring creators to label realistic AI-generated media, particularly when such content could mislead viewers into believing it depicts real events or people. The platform says these measures are part of broader efforts to improve transparency around synthetic media and maintain trust among its users.
“Transparency is the currency of trust,” stated Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, TikTok’s Director of Government Relations and Public Policy for Sub-Saharan Africa.
“The goal is to ensure that an internet user in Lagos or Nairobi has the same critical eye for a deepfake as a tech expert in Silicon Valley.” She noted.
In addition, TikTok relies on automated detection tools and human moderators to enforce its community guidelines. According to the company, millions of videos are uploaded to the platform every day, making AI-assisted moderation essential for identifying harmful or misleading content.
Tokunbo Ibrahim, TikTok’s Head of Government Relations and Public Policy for Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasized the importance of collective action during the event. “As we host the 3rd Annual Safer Internet Summit here in Kenya, our mission is clear: to share learnings, insights, tackle common challenges and collaboratively advance actionable solutions that protect citizens online,” Ibrahim stated.
“By bringing together a diverse coalition of policymakers, tech innovators, and creators, we are ensuring that the conversations we have at this Summit are all-inclusive and lead to a more resilient digital landscape.”
He further noted that with the rapid advancement of AI, the platform is committed to educating the community so they feel empowered to have responsible experiences, whether as viewers or creators.
The Safer Internet Summit serves as a platform for dialogue between technology companies, regulators, and advocacy groups working to improve online safety in Africa.
Discussions at the event focused on protecting young users, combating misinformation, and encouraging responsible innovation in the use of artificial intelligence.
As digital adoption continues to grow across the continent, stakeholders say media literacy and public awareness will play a crucial role in limiting the harmful effects of emerging technologies such as deepfakes.
Seasoned writer and literary curator, Zainab Abdulrasaq is a factchecker for The FactCheckHub in an effort to combat information disorder. She can be reached on IG @blackbookishgirl or zabdulrasaq@icirnigeria.org
