A U.S. government map of Africa that incorrectly placed every country on the continent during a State Department presentation at the AIDS 2026 conference in Rio de Janeiro has sparked criticism after screenshots of the error circulated online.
The map appeared during a presentation about new U.S. health agreements at the global conference in Brazil on July 26. Reuters reviewed video of the presentation and found that the inaccurate graphic was displayed midway through the session.
State Department takes responsibility for Africa map error
The U.S. State Department said it took “full responsibility” for the confusion and misrepresentation caused by the map, including the impact on African partners attending the conference.
According to the department, the slide was produced after a team member made a hurried change to the presentation shortly before the event. The explanation came after screenshots of the map were shared widely on social media and drew attention from conference attendees and others following the incident.
Map places African countries in incorrect locations
The errors were widespread. Nigeria, where the United States currently has several hundred troops deployed, was shown as a landlocked country in the Sahara Desert.
Mozambique, which is located in southeastern Africa, was instead positioned in the Horn of Africa. Ivory Coast, a country in West Africa, was also shown on the opposite side of the continent.
The incorrect positioning of countries meant the map effectively misrepresented the geography of the entire African continent.
Reuters analysis identifies AI watermark
A Reuters analysis found that the map image shown in the presentation contained an artificial intelligence watermark indicating that it was created using OpenAI tools.
OpenAI did not respond to a Reuters request for comment regarding the image.
The presence of the watermark has added another layer to the controversy, particularly because the graphic was used in an official U.S. government presentation involving discussions with African partners.
Map screenshots spread online
Screenshots of the erroneous map first appeared in a Substack post by AIDS expert Emily Bass before spreading more widely on LinkedIn.
One LinkedIn post received around 40,000 views. Matt Petit, who focuses on artificial intelligence and geopolitics at the Atlantic Council, criticised the lack of basic verification behind the presentation graphic.
“Whoever created and approved this slide did not know where countries in Africa are and did not care to check their work,” Matt Petit wrote.
US says AIDS discussions remained constructive
The presentation was delivered by Jeff Graham, the senior U.S. health envoy overseeing the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, commonly known as PEPFAR. Graham did not respond to requests for comment, according to Reuters.
The State Department said the discussions at the conference remained “substantive and constructive” despite the map error. The department also reaffirmed its commitment to fighting AIDS and delivering tangible results.
PEPFAR faces broader changes under Trump administration
The incident comes as the United States continues to reshape its international health spending. The Trump administration paused funding for a review last year, disrupting aid programs around the world.
PEPFAR’s core activities, including the distribution of life-saving medicines, have largely resumed. However, the United States is reducing spending in other areas, including prevention and disease surveillance, and plans to completely phase out the program in South Africa.
Map error draws attention at key global health event
The inaccurate Africa map became a major talking point after appearing during an official U.S. presentation involving the country’s global health initiatives. While the State Department accepted responsibility for the graphic, the incident has prompted criticism over the preparation and verification of material used before an international audience.
The episode also highlights the importance of carefully checking visual material used in diplomatic and public health settings, particularly when presentations involve U.S. engagement with African governments and partners.
Source: Reuters
