  In light of prominent discourse around the negative implications of
generative AI, an emerging area of research is investigating the current and
estimated impacts of AI-generated propaganda on African citizens participating
in elections. Throughout Africa, there have already been suspected cases of
AI-generated propaganda influencing electoral outcomes or precipitating coups
in countries like Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Gabon, underscoring the need for
comprehensive research in this domain. This paper aims to highlight the risks
associated with the spread of generative AI-driven disinformation within Africa
while concurrently examining the roles of government, civil society, academia,
and the general public in the responsible development, practical use, and
robust governance of AI. To understand how African governments might
effectively counteract the impact of AI-generated propaganda, this paper
presents case studies illustrating the current usage of generative AI for
election-related propaganda in Africa. Subsequently, this paper discusses
efforts by fact-checking organisations to mitigate the negative impacts of
disinformation, explores the potential for new initiatives to actively engage
citizens in literacy efforts to combat disinformation spread, and advocates for
increased governmental regulatory measures. Overall, this research seeks to
increase comprehension of the potential ramifications of AI-generated
propaganda on democratic processes within Africa and propose actionable
strategies for stakeholders to address these multifaceted challenges.
