Africa needed an organisation dedicated to holding public figures accountable for what they said, and debunking dangerous false statements.
Facts matter. Every day, people across Africa make decisions that shape their lives, communities and countries. To make those decisions, they rely on information. But too often that information is misleading, manipulated or simply false.
Misinformation and disinformation can undermine public health, fuel division, influence elections, distort public debate and erode trust in institutions. Left unchecked, false claims can have real-world consequences, influencing how people vote, the healthcare they seek, the choices they make and the policies that shape their lives.
In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, where information travels faster than ever, the need for independent, evidence-based fact-checking has never been greater. Holding public figures accountable, verifying claims in the public interest and helping people distinguish fact from fiction are essential to strengthening informed public debate and resilient democracies.
That's why Africa Check exists. We work across South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal, with a network of partners spanning the continent, to promote accuracy, accountability and access to trustworthy information. By fact-checking public claims, debunking harmful misinformation and equipping people with the skills to think critically about the information they consume, we help people make informed decisions that matter.
What we do
Our holistic approach to fact-checking includes publishing reports and factsheets, media literacy, running awards and training journalists
Impact
Improving public debate and strengthening democracy depends on our work having a sustainable impact. We rigorously track and measure progress towards these goals
Funding
Philanthropic organisations and private donors support us in the fight against misinformation in Africa by providing financial support. Do you want to join them?
How it all started
Africa Check Trust (Africa Check) is Africa's first independent, non-profit fact-checking organisation. Established in South Africa in 2012 (registration number IT000728/2015(C)), we now operate from offices in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal, with a network of partners across the continent. Our work is made possible through the support of philanthropic organisations and individual donors.
For more than a decade, Africa Check has held public figures accountable, verified claims on issues that affect people's lives, and exposed misinformation and disinformation across a wide range of topics, including health, elections, migration, education, climate change and the economy. Our fact-checking has prompted corrections by governments, international organisations and media outlets, helping to improve the quality of public information and debate.
Collectively, our team has published nearly 2,500 fact-check reports and third-party fact-checks, verifying almost 3,300 claims. We've also produced more than 800 factsheets, guides and blogs on contested issues, and trained over 12,400 journalists and other information practitioners in verification best practices. Millions of people across Africa access our work each year through our website, social media platforms, media partnerships and training programmes.
Through our work, we seek to reduce the spread and impact of misinformation and disinformation, strengthen public accountability, and promote accurate, evidence-based information. By helping people make informed decisions, we contribute to stronger democracies, more engaged citizens and better outcomes for communities across Africa.
The Africa Check team
Africa Check's head office is based at the Journalism Department of the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. We also have offices in Nairobi, Kenya; Dakar, Senegal; and Lagos, Nigeria.
David Ajikobi
Lee Mwiti
Noko Makgato
Alphonce Shiundu
Cayley Clifford
Valdez Onanina
Dancan Nanyanga Bwire
Keegan Leech
Grace Wairimu Gichuhi
Lwandle Mthombeni
Catherine Adeniyi
Dieynaba Thiombane
Laura Kapelari
Hlalani Gumpo
Kirsten Cosser
Tess Wandia
Muktar Balogun
Precious Ewuji
Azil Momar Lô
Taryn Khourie
Makinia Juma
