Media experts and insiders report that Chinese and Russian actors are paying social media influencers across Africa—particularly on TikTok—to promote anti–U.S. narratives, often targeting the Trump administration. Influencers earn anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars per month by sharing misinformation and propaganda benefiting Beijing and Moscow.
Notably, according to a study by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, nearly 200 such campaigns have been identified across African regions, with a concentration in Southern and West Africa. Some influencers receive content-ready narratives and are compensated based on engagement, with one stating they earn roughly $3 per liked post and do not have direct contact with those sponsoring the content.
These operations fill an “information void” in Africa created by reduced U.S. aid to media, making the continent particularly susceptible to disinformation campaigns.
Source: Epoch Times, August 4, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/8/2/n14565971.htm