Fact-Check: Did Burkina Faso Military Ruler Traoré Launch Aircraft, Automobiles, and Smartphones Conglomerate?
Claim: There is a viral video circulating across various social media platforms, especially on TikTok claiming that Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the head of the military Junta of Burkina Faso, has launched the first African Aircraft , Vehicle and smartphone company.
The transcript of the trending video, featuring a man who appears to be a broadcaster, reads in part:
”Captain Ibrahim Traoré has just made history by launching his own line of aircraft, vehicles, and smartphones, sending shockwaves through the global market. His bold move to position Burkina Faso as a tech and manufacturing powerhouse has sparked major backlash from Western leaders and corporate giants, including Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
The newly unveiled Traoré Tech conglomerate is set to produce Burki-Air, Africa’s first domestically built aircraft designed for both military and commercial use; Faso Motors, a locally manufactured electric and fuel-powered vehicle brand; and Sahel Phone, a secure, high-performance smartphone free from Western tech influence.
Speaking at the grand launch, Traoré made his vision clear, stating, ‘For too long, Africa has been a consumer, not a creator. Today, we take back control of our industry, our resources, and our future.’”
Captain Ibrahim Traoré (born 14 March 1988) is a Burkinabé military officer who has led Burkina Faso since the September 2022 coup that removed interim president Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba. Although trained in anti-aircraft warfare in Morocco, he was later assigned to an infantry unit in northern Burkina Faso. At 37, he is the world’s second-youngest serving state leader and the youngest president.
Verification: To verify the authenticity of the viral video, PRNigeria’s fact-check team conducted a reverse image search and discovered that the footage began trending on social media in the early hours of Monday.
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PRNigeria’s fact-check team also used Google power search and found that no reputable news organization or official government sources in Burkina Faso had reported on the claim.
Furthermore, the team visited the official website of Burkina Faso, which is currently displaying an error message, as well as the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, no such statement was found on either site.
Technically, PRNigeria‘s fact-check team conducted a metadata analysis, including EXIF data extraction, which revealed indications of digital manipulation and possible AI generation. Furthermore, sequence analysis uncovered inconsistencies, confirming that the footage had been manipulated.
However, PRNigeria Fact-Check team also came across an online media report about Burkina Faso’s launch of its first homegrown electric car, the ITAOUA, a solar-powered, all-electric vehicle designed and assembled locally, with a range of 330 km on a single 30-minute charge.
Conclusion: Findings by PRNigeria reveals that while President Traoré has been involved in initiatives to enhance Burkina Faso’s industrial capabilities, there is no credible evidence supporting the claim that he has established an African aircraft, electric vehicle, or smartphone conglomerate.
The claims circulating on social media, particularly on platforms like Threads and TikTok, are primarily based on AI-generated content. PRNigeria‘ fact-check findings revealed that the video in question is AI-generated.
Verdict: PRNigeria fact-check team therefore concludes that the claim is False.
By PRNigeria
