DeepSeek, Disinformation & Democracy

In the past two weeks, AI has dominated global conversations. As DeepSeek R1 made its disruptive debut-challenging U.S. tech dominance and reshaping AI economics-CDD-West Africa held a National Dialogue on Disinformation in Nigerian Elections. AI took centerstage, with debates on both its risks in the hands of bad actors and its potential to fight disinformation.

With Trump 2.0 looming, fact-checking tools vanishing, and AI models like DeepSeek R1 proving that cutting-edge tech doesn’t need big budgets, concerns about misinformation, election integrity, and democracy are growing. What does this mean for Nigeria, where voter apathy is deepening? How does Africa’s "copy-and-paste" politics reflect global trends? And will AI be a threat or a safeguard in the 2027 Nigeria elections?

Beyond AI, the exit of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS raises big questions about regional stability, economic ties, and security. While free movement remains, the impact on governance and counter insurgency is uncertain.

These issues are explored in Gbemi’s blog,?"From Edo to Accra,"?which unpacks what recent elections reveal about West Africa’s democratic trajectory, and Dengiyefa’s piece,?"The Sahelian States Alliance,"?which examines whether this new bloc can replace ECOWAS.

Despite these challenges, civil society voices across Africa came together at JKF@60 to celebrate a Pan-African icon. More than a birthday, it was a reaffirmation of unity, a call to fight for democracy and good governance, and a reminder that collective action still matters.

With AI, politics, and regional shifts shaping Africa’s future, one question remains: Can democracy withstand the disruption, or will it be redefined?

Publications

From Edo to Accra: What West Africa’s 2024 Elections Tells Us About Democracy by Gbemisola Adebowale

Ghana and Nigeria’s 2024 elections reveal key contrasts in electoral trust, efficiency, and democratic resilience, offering crucial lessons for West Africa’s political future.?Read Here.

Is the Alliance of the Sahelian States a Viable Alternative to ECOWAS by Dengiyefa Angalapu

Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger’s exit from ECOWAS reshapes West Africa’s political and security landscape—explore the key implications in Dengiyefa Angalapu’s latest analysis.?Read Here.

Spotlight

A Homecoming & A Legacy Honoured

As part of activities marking his 60th birthday, and in a powerful tribute to its roots, CDD-West Africa has named its first building after founding director Dr. Kayode Fayemi, celebrating his leadership and lasting impact on democracy and governance in Africa.

The intimate ceremony at CDD’s Abuja headquarters felt like a homecoming—bringing together leaders, civil society actors, and longtime allies who have shaped the Centre’s journey. Dr. Fayemi reflected on CDD’s early days and its role in Africa’s democratic landscape, while also honouring the late Dr. Tajudeen Abdulraheem, a towering Pan-African voice and namesake of another CDD building.

For Dr. Dauda Garuba, CDD’s current director, the moment was full circle—once Dr. Fayemi’s program officer, he now steers the Centre into the future. With CDD’s 30th anniversary on the horizon, plans are underway to relaunch the Endowment Fund and establish a research fellowship, cementing the Centre’s role in shaping the next generation of democracy champions.

Launch of the Amandla Institute at JKF@60

The?JKF@60 Commemorative Symposium?was a landmark event that not only celebrated the 60th birthday of?Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CDD’s founding director, but also marked the launch of the?Amandla Institute for Policy & Leadership Advancement—a bold step toward strengthening governance, leadership, and policy discourse across Africa.

With the theme,?Renewing the Pan-African Ideal for the Changing Times: The Leadership and Policy Challenges and Opportunities, the symposium reflected Dr. Fayemi’s lifelong commitment to Pan-Africanism and democratic development. The presence of distinguished leaders from across the continent, both physically and virtually, underscored the depth of this vision.

Among the eminent figures in attendance were:

???Former President Thabo Mbeki?of South Africa

???Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations

???General Yakubu Gowon, former Head of State of Nigeria

???Vice President Kashim Shettima?of Nigeria

A high-level panel discussion, moderated by?Professor Funmi Olonisakin, Vice-President and Vice-Principal International at King’s College London, explored the challenges and opportunities for Africa’s political and economic future. The panel featured:

???H.E. Professor Abdoulaye Bathily, Special Envoy of the President of Senegal

???H.E. Professor Abena Pokua Busia, Co-Founder, Busia Foundation International

???Dr. Brian Kagoro, Managing Director of Programmes at the Open Society Foundations (OSF)

???Professor Richard Joseph, John Evans Emeritus Professor at Northwestern University and Honorary Fellow of New College, Oxford

The symposium reinforced a core message:?Africans need to unite, as much as Africa needs to unite.?As the continent navigates shifting global dynamics, collaboration, shared identity, and strong leadership will be key to unlocking a prosperous and self-determined future.

Through potential collaborations with the?Amandla Institute, CDD-West Africa remains committed to fostering impactful conversations and driving action that shape governance, democracy, and development across Africa.

National Dialogue on Election Disinformation in Nigeria

As Nigeria grapples with the evolving threat of election disinformation, CDD-West Africa convened a National Dialogue on Election Disinformation on the 29th of January, 2025, at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. The dialogue brought together experts, policymakers, and civil society leaders to dissect the patterns, impact, and countermeasures against false information in the country’s electoral process.

Stakeholders from?Kogi, Bayelsa, Imo, Edo, and Ondo—states that have recently conducted off-cycle elections—shared insights on the unique challenges they encountered, particularly the spread of AI-driven misinformation, political propaganda, and deep-rooted biases that shaped public perception. Discussions emphasised how disinformation fuels voter apathy, erodes institutional credibility, and distorts electoral outcomes.

Representatives from key institutions—including the?National Orientation Agency (NOA),Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC),?Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), YIAGA Africa, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the?Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room—examined the effectiveness of existing counter-disinformation strategies and the need for stronger regulatory frameworks, digital literacy initiatives, and AI-powered fact-checking tools.

A major outcome of the dialogue was the recognition that multi-stakeholder collaboration is essential to safeguarding Nigeria’s electoral process. The event concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), reaffirming a collective commitment to combating disinformation and strengthening democracy across the country.

Forecast

What's Next for West Africa?

AI-driven disinformation is reshaping politics, and regional alliances are shifting—West Africa’s democratic and security future hangs in the balance.

With voter apathy deepening and fact-checking tools disappearing, Nigeria’s 2027 elections risk being overrun by AI-generated falsehoods. The Anambra 2025 election will be the first test: will regulators, civil society, and media step up, or will disinformation dictate voter behaviour?

Meanwhile, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger’s exit from ECOWAS has sent shockwaves through the region. Free movement remains, but security threats loom large. Insurgencies, weak borders, and foreign military influences could destabilize an already fragile Sahel. Whether this shift leads to sustainable governance or deeper fragmentation depends on what happens next.

The coming months will shape West Africa’s political and economic future. The stakes have never been higher.

Quiz

Test Your Knowledge!

From AI’s role in elections to shifting regional alliances and the future of democracy in West Africa, this edition of?Democracy Digest?covers critical issues shaping our political landscape. Think you’ve got a handle on it all? Take our quick quiz to see how well you’ve been following the key themes—and maybe learn something new along the way. Test your Knowledge!