A U.S. health official representing the Trump administration displayed a map of Africa with all countries incorrectly labeled during a presentation at the AIDS 2026 conference in Rio de Janeiro. The map featured significant geographical errors, placing Nigeria incorrectly as a landlocked country in the Sahara Desert and relocating Mozambique from southeastern Africa to the Horn of Africa. Additionally, Ivory Coast was depicted on the opposite side of the continent from its actual position in West Africa.

An analysis of the map conducted by Reuters revealed an artificial intelligence watermark, indicating that the image was created using OpenAI tools. The company confirmed it was investigating the matter. The U.S. State Department acknowledged responsibility for the incident, explaining that a team member had hastily modified the slide deck shortly before the event, leading to the inaccurate representation.

The flawed map drew widespread attention after screenshots were shared by AIDS specialist Emily Bass on her Substack platform, gaining significant traction on LinkedIn with over 40,000 views. Matt Petit, an expert on artificial intelligence and geopolitics at the Atlantic Council, criticized the map’s creation and approval, stating the individuals responsible appeared unaware of African geography and failed to verify their work.

Jeff Graham, the U.S. health envoy overseeing the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), was the speaker presenting at the conference. Graham did not respond to requests for comment regarding the map or its errors. PEPFAR, a major U.S. government initiative launched to combat HIV/AIDS globally, was affected by the Trump administration’s decision last year to pause funding pending a review. Although this pause disrupted various aid programs, core activities such as providing life-saving medications have largely resumed.

The U.S. government is reducing spending in other areas, including prevention and surveillance, and has plans to fully phase out PEPFAR programs in South Africa. The incident highlights ongoing challenges in the administration and communication of international health initiatives amid shifting U.S. policy priorities.