• Google unveils Veo 3, its latest AI tool for ultra-realistic video generation
• Experts warn deepfakes could destabilize Africa's democracies and markets
• African Union urges stronger investment in AI oversight and detection tools

Since 2020, Africa has been keeping a close watch on the rapid rise of artificial intelligence innovations. First came AI models generating realistic text, followed by tools that produce striking images. Now, video generation has entered the spotlight. During the Google I/O 2025 event, held May 20-21 in California, Google introduced Veo 3, its latest AI-powered tool capable of creating high-definition videos with natural, lifelike audio. This marks a significant improvement from its predecessor, Veo 2.

“We're entering a new era of creation with combined audio and video generation," said Josh Woodward, Vice President at Google Labs and Gemini, during the unveiling of Veo 3. He emphasized how this tool can generate “ultra-realistic” videos.

With Veo 3, Google joins the fierce competition among AI video creators. Other players include Synthesia, known for producing videos with highly realistic avatars; HeyGen, which offers multilingual dubbing with personalized avatars; Runway, offering advanced creative tools; and Kling AI, specializing in high-quality video generation.

These platforms have already captured the interest of African content creators, filmmakers, and media professionals. But beyond their creative potential, they reveal the alarming sophistication of deepfake technology, hyper-realistic fake videos that continue to improve in quality. Africa is no longer shielded from this threat, as deepfakes are now being deployed for various, often harmful, purposes.

In a world where voices, gestures, and faces can be digitally manipulated with shocking precision, the question is no longer whether African societies will be impacted by this digital revolution, but whether they are prepared to handle it.

Deepfakes: A New Era of Illusion

Deepfakes, a blend of the terms deep learning and fake, refer to videos, images, or audio content altered or entirely created by artificial intelligence to appear authentic. Thanks to breakthroughs in generative AI, anyone can now be made to say or do virtually anything on screen, with staggering realism.

While these technologies present exciting opportunities for film, education, and gaming, they also serve as powerful disinformation tools, especially dangerous in regions with fragile institutions and unequal levels of digital literacy.

Raphael Nkolwoudou Afane, a legal expert and digital law specialist, has raised concerns about the destabilizing effects deepfakes could have on Africa. The continent, with its unique mix of vulnerabilities, is fertile ground for the spread and influence of manipulated content.

“Deepfakes exploit our natural tendency to believe what we see and hear,” Afane explains. “For centuries, visuals equated to proof of authenticity. But today, technology can fabricate incredibly convincing realities. The human brain, untrained to tell the difference between digital trickery and genuine content, is an easy target for these sophisticated illusions.”

He warns that deepfakes could disrupt critical sectors. “Imagine this example in the financial sector. A fake video showing a CEO making controversial statements could tank stock prices or trigger a banking panic. In Africa, where markets are often more sensitive to rumors, the consequences would be devastating.”

Given the fragile trust in public institutions and the dominant role of social media in spreading news, deepfakes pose a direct threat to democratic stability. Targeted misinformation that exploits existing divisions could destabilize entire nations.

Ultimately, deepfakes risk triggering a deep crisis of confidence in political leaders, public figures, and institutions across Africa.

African Societies at Greater Risk

In Africa, platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Messenger, and Instagram have become major sources of news and information. These channels help content spread rapidly, often far beyond its place of origin, amplifying both verified news and unverified claims.

During Donald Trump's presidency, content moderation on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook weakened, as free speech was prioritized over strict verification policies. This contributed to the loosening of controls on misleading content.

With many African countries lacking clear regulations for social media, while still aiming to protect free speech, the risk of deepfakes multiplying is high. Some nations have started taking steps. In 2022, Uganda updated its Computer Misuse Act, originally passed in 2011. The revised law penalizes the distribution of false information, including deepfakes, and also bans unauthorized access to data and sharing sensitive information about children.

According to the Digital Report 2025, the global number of social media users reached 5.31 billion in February. Africa accounts for 561 million of those users, based on Statista data.

Here is the breakdown of Africa's most-used platforms in 2025:

• Facebook: 294.1 million users
• Messenger: 104.5 million users
• TikTok: 189.3 million users
• Instagram: 91.1 million users
• X (formerly Twitter): 27.8 million users

It is important to note that users may be active on multiple platforms.

Limited Tools and Incomplete Laws

In July 2024, the African Union (AU) adopted its first Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy, covering 2025 to 2030. The initiative aims to harness AI to drive Africa's development and prosperity.

Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, explains that the strategy “aligns with the AU's goals for inclusive development and reflects core values such as ethics, inclusion, diversity, human rights, dignity, well-being, peace, and prosperity.” A key priority is ensuring AI systems are designed and adapted for Africa's unique context.

The strategy promotes an inclusive, Africa-focused, development-oriented approach built on five pillars. Fully leveraging AI's benefits -Building AI expertise and capabilities -Minimizing risks associated with AI -Boosting investment in AI -Strengthening regional and international cooperation.

It offers a shared vision and outlines critical actions to help Africa unlock AI's potential while addressing the social, ethical, security, and legal challenges it presents.

However, despite this continental roadmap intended to guide and inspire African countries to address AI's growing challenges, progress remains uneven. Each nation moves at its own pace, balancing AI advancement with local development priorities.

The continent's readiness to manage AI risks, particularly misuse like deepfakes, remains inadequate.

Between 2018 and 2023, only six countries, Algeria, Benin, Egypt, Mauritius, Rwanda, and Senegal, developed national AI strategies. Others, including South Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, and Tunisia, have made notable strides in shaping policies and creating AI-focused institutions.

Still, the International Monetary Fund's AI Preparedness Index (AIPI) shows that nearly 80% of African nations lack sufficient regulatory frameworks, human skills, and innovation capacity to manage AI effectively.

Investments Must Match the Risks

On the technology front, local initiatives to develop deepfake detection tools or enhance institutional cybersecurity remain rare. Public awareness campaigns around manipulated content are also limited.

The African Union, recognizing these gaps, offers several recommendations in its AI strategy. Beyond adopting ethical guidelines for AI and related technologies, the AU emphasizes the urgent need to boost research and development, foster innovation, and build human expertise.

Such measures could help Africa develop deepfake detection tools and leverage AI to grow critical sectors across its economies.

The economic stakes are high. McKinsey estimates that generative AI could boost global productivity by 40% and add between $2.2 trillion and $4.4 trillion annually to the world economy. Even capturing just 5% of that potential could add $110 billion to $220 billion each year to Africa's GDP.

Smart use of AI could also accelerate industrialization, job creation, and improvements in public services, healthcare, education, and climate crisis management. In disaster-prone areas, AI can help better predict and respond to droughts, cyclones, and wildfires, saving lives and cutting costs.

Africa's AI ecosystem already shows promise. The AU counts over 2,400 organizations working on AI innovation, with 41% of them being startups in fields like healthcare, agriculture, education, law, and insurance. The security sector could also greatly benefit from AI advancements.

Faced with the rise of deepfakes, Africa cannot afford to remain passive. The fight for digital truth is deeply tied to issues of sovereignty, democratic stability, and public trust. It is not about rejecting AI progress, but ensuring its responsible use, and putting safeguards in place to prevent its abuse.