Research Presentation and Discussion: Unveiling the Digital Landscape on EU-Africa Migration

This joint discussion was organized by Constella Intelligence, IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs, and the European Council on Foreign Relations unpacks how migration-related narratives are exploited by diverse actors via vulnerabilities in our digital information ecosystem.

After brief opening remarks by Manuel Muñiz, Dean of the IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs, Constella’s Director of Risk Intelligence, Jonathan Nelson presented original research analyzing malign influence and illicit digital activity linked to migration-related narratives in the digital sphere. This report uncovers how vulnerabilities in the digital ecosystem permit malign actors to weaponize targeted narratives with commercial intent to traffic individuals and sell forgeries, arms, or other illicit goods.

The event’s first panel included Former Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ana Palacio, as well as Alejandro Romero, Co-founder of cyberintelligence firm Constella Intelligence. Palacio shared her experiences related to the development of EU and Spanish migration cooperation with African countries, while Romero discussed the impact of false narratives and messages surrounding migration on vulnerable groups. This discussion was moderated by José Ignacio Torreblanca, Head of the Madrid Office and Senior Policy Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations.

Following the evening’s first panel, Thimbo Samb, Actor, YouTuber, and Activist joined a discussion with Researcher, Author, Migration Expert, and Human Rights Activist, Sani Ladan. This panel was moderated by Pablo Pardo, Chief US Correspondent of El Mundo, and the panellists shared their perspectives on structural political, multilateral, and communications challenges that underscore the complexity of the debates around migration, commenting on power asymmetries characterizing policymaking on migration.