A two-day conference began on October 6, 2026, in Dakar, Senegal, with the goal of creating a West African network to combat disinformation. The conference brings together media professionals, civil society actors, and other stakeholders to discuss the growing threat of fake news and deepfakes in the region. The network, dubbed West Africa Info Watch, aims to promote cooperation and coordination among countries to prevent and respond to disinformation.
The conference was welcomed by Abdoulaye Guindo, Coordinator of Benbéré, who emphasized the need for collective action to address the transborder threat of disinformation. He noted that the conference provides a platform for learning, sharing experiences, and building a durable mechanism for cooperation. The network aims to facilitate the sharing of best practices, expertise, and information to enhance regional resilience to disinformation.
According to DataReportal, there are 196 million internet users in West Africa, with 99 million social media users. The proliferation of fake news and deepfakes has raised concerns among media professionals and civil society actors, who see the need for urgent action to define mechanisms for monitoring, alerting, and responding to disinformation. The West Africa Info Watch network aims to address these challenges and promote the production of reliable content in local languages.
Djibril Seydou, representative of the International Media Support (IMS) in the Sahel region, emphasized the need for a regional mechanism for alerting, sharing information, and responding to disinformation. He noted that the credibility of the network depends on its ability to define a clear vision, inclusive governance, and realistic collaboration modalities. Seydou called on participants to contribute their expertise and commitment to the initiative.
Nille Gry Olesen, Deputy Head of Mission at the Royal Danish Embassy in Dakar, highlighted the importance of reliable information in enabling citizens to make informed decisions. She emphasized the need to invest in trust, verify and correct false information, and provide access to quality journalism and diverse sources. Olesen also stressed the importance of protecting freedom of expression and respecting human rights in the fight against disinformation.
The conference also discussed the need to develop mechanisms adapted to African languages and promote media education. Participants emphasized the importance of supporting local media and organizations, as well as investing in human and technical capacities. The network aims to promote a culture of fact-checking and critical thinking, as well as to enhance regional cooperation to address the threat of disinformation.
The West Africa Info Watch network is expected to provide a platform for regional cooperation and coordination to combat disinformation. The initiative has the potential to enhance the resilience of West African countries to disinformation and promote a culture of reliable information. Key stakeholders will continue to engage in discussions to define the network's governance structure, modalities of collaboration, and operational plan.
Key points
- The conference aims to establish the West Africa Info Watch network to combat cross-border disinformation in the region.
- The network will promote cooperation and coordination among countries to prevent and respond to disinformation.
- The initiative has the potential to enhance regional resilience to disinformation and promote a culture of reliable information.
