As researchers throughout Africa seek to understand the social media landscape better, many have focused on Russian interference on social media platforms. The Institute for Security Studies reported ahead of the 2024 elections that due to the weak checks and balances of new democracies on the continent, Russia considers Africa to be an attractive target. The Africa Center for Strategic Studies also published in 2024 that there are 189 documented disinformation campaigns across Africa, nearly four 4 times higher than in 2022 and which the authors feel may be understated due to the opacity of disinformation campaigns. According to that report, there were 25 disinformation campaigns in Southern Africa, six of which involved Kremlin-linked actors.