TikTok has invested an additional $200 000 in Artificial Intelligence (AI) media literacy programmes across Sub-Saharan Africa, as the continent faces rising deepfake risks and the growing threat of digital misinformation.
The popular social media platform had already committed $2.2 million globally to AI literacy initiatives through its AI Literacy Fund, launched in November 2025.
The fresh financial injection announced in Nairobi yesterday builds on that earlier fund and is aimed at supporting organisations that help users identify AI-generated misinformation, deepfakes, manipulated media and promote safer internet use across Africa’s rapidly expanding digital ecosystem.
The announcement was made during TikTok’s third annual Sub-Saharan Africa Safer Internet Summit 2026, which brought together government officials, regulators, technology companies and civil society groups to discuss online safety challenges in the region.
The two-day summit, held under the theme “#SaferTogether: Innovation and Safety,” marks the expansion of a regional safety campaign that began in Ghana in 2024 and continued in Cape Town last year, with Nairobi becoming the latest stop in TikTok’s push to deepen collaboration with African governments on digital safety.
Tokunbo Ibrahim, TikTok’s Head of Government Relations and Public Policy for Sub-Saharan Africa, said the summit reflects the global social media platform’s commitment to building a safer digital ecosystem through partnerships.
“As we host the third Annual Safer Internet Summit here in Kenya, our mission is clear: to share learnings, insights and collaboratively advance actionable solutions that protect citizens online.By bringing together policymakers, technology innovators and creators, we are ensuring that the conversations we have lead to a more resilient digital landscape across Africa,” he said.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, William Kabogo Gitau, emphasised that although social media platforms are playing a growing role in Africa’s digital economy, they must work with governments to tackle emerging risks.
“Social media platforms such as TikTok are supporting digital creativity, innovation and economic opportunities across Africa. But as the digital creator economy grows, we must also address misinformation, cybercrime, harmful content affecting minors and data privacy concerns,” he stated.
South Africa’s Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong, stressed that the rapid spread of digital information means platforms must play a greater role in protecting information integrity.
“Social media platforms now organise attention, distribute narratives and influence how societies understand truth. That is why partnerships between governments, platforms and civil society are essential to strengthen digital literacy and protect citizens from misinformation,” he said.
Share
