Sierra Leone has launched a nationwide campaign to help citizens identify AI-generated deepfakes and manipulated digital content as the country expands its use of emerging technologies.

The National AI and Deepfake Awareness Campaign was launched in Freetown on September 16 by the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), in partnership with the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation and the Ministry of Information and Civic Education.

The campaign is supported through the Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project, with financing from the World Bank. It will cover all 16 districts through community workshops, radio and television programmes and other public-awareness activities.

A second phase is expected to introduce tools that will allow people to verify suspicious digital content, including a WhatsApp verification service, a low-bandwidth application and channels for reporting harmful manipulated material.

Officials have highlighted risks including AI-generated voice messages requesting mobile-money transfers and manipulated videos of public figures.

The initiative aims to strengthen digital literacy and help citizens verify information before sharing it as AI-generated content becomes increasingly accessible.