West African disinformation and social media regulation

West African nations, including Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, and Guinea, have intensified efforts to combat disinformation and promote digital responsibility to maintain social cohesion.

In early August 2026, Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire launched initiatives to train journalists, bloggers, and community leaders. In Burkina Faso, the Ministry of Communication organized capacity-building sessions to create content that counters subversive messages and hate speech. Similarly, in Côte d'Ivoire, government officials urged traditional media and local leaders to reinforce fact-checking to protect national security and health.

By late August, leaders in Guinea and Burkina Faso expanded this focus to include the risks posed by social media and artificial intelligence. Officials in Guinea highlighted how digital platforms are used to spread rumors that destabilize society, while the president of Burkina Faso’s Higher Council for Communication warned that digital tools are a “double-edged sword” that can incite social disorder if used to defame or manipulate information.