A social media account on X, called “Government of East Africa,” complete with a grey tick that made it appear legitimate, sparked a frenzy by releasing an image of a fake five sheafra note. The sheafra, a fictional currency combining the shilling and franc used in the region, looked like a real banknote with a coat of arms and a space for a signature.
The initial posts from last Sunday garnered over a million views after major blogs and a popular Kenyan online outlet picked them up, mistakenly reporting it as a real launch of a single EAC currency.
While some online users excitedly embraced the idea, others debated the design and name.The East African Community (EAC), a bloc of eight nations, finally clarified that the news was false.
The mastermind behind the viral fake currency, Ugandan Moses Haabwa, expressed surprise at the widespread attention it received. Haabwa, who runs a private investigation company, claims he leads a non-existent “Federal Republic of East Africa Government.”
This self-styled overseer, in his late 30s, has a shrouded past, claiming experience in intelligence and an ambassadorship for an unknown European dukedom (likely fictional).
For the past three months, his group has been releasing “specimen” images of various sheafra denominations on social media.
While earlier posts garnered little attention, the five sheafra note captured public imagination.
“We finished posting last Sunday,” Haabwa explained. “I never instructed anyone to tweet a ‘launch.’ How the media got hold of that, I have no idea.”
The grey tick on his “Government of East Africa” account, obtained in January from X, further bolstered the illusion of legitimacy. X (platform name) usually reserves grey ticks for official government or multilateral organization accounts. The BBC has contacted X to inquire about the verification process.
Another factor contributing to the excitement was the long-standing discussion about a single currency within the EAC. Haabwa himself admits enjoying the renewed conversation about a unified currency.
However, both the EAC and the Bank of Tanzania dismissed the sheafra, urging people to disregard rumors about a new regional currency. The EAC is still working towards a single currency, with a target date of 2031 (previously set for 2023).
The significant economic and political differences among member states (Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda) pose challenges to a single currency. While it could ease cross-border trade and boost economic growth, some fear Kenya’s dominance as the most developed economy.
Haabwa claims his project was motivated by the EAC’s delays and public dissatisfaction. He believes his actions offered hope and sparked a conversation about progress within the EAC.
“Social media can be a powerful tool,” he told the BBC. “Without those tweets, this discussion wouldn’t be happening.”
Haabwa considers his push for closer East African unity a divinely ordained mission. He urges the EAC to expedite the single currency process, stating, “The EAC can’t ignore the people’s desire for unity.”
When questioned about the legality of his actions, Haabwa maintained he’s working towards legalizing everything “step by step, starting in his home country.”
