FactCheck Africa’s recent success in the US West African Tech Challenge is set to propel their expansion into other West African countries.
South African civic society organization Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI) has launched FactCheck Africa, an innovative project designed to tackle the pervasive issue of fake news in Nigeria.
Through their AI-powered tool, My AI Factcheck, BBYDI aims to empower individuals to discern fact from fiction, covering various domains including governance, accountability, climate change, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Abideen Olasupo, Global Director of BBYDI, emphasized the project’s mission to address disinformation and misinformation, particularly in critical areas like governance and climate change. Alamin Musa, who leads product development, detailed that FactCheck Africa leverages AI in conjunction with credible news sources to verify claims.
The core of FactCheck Africa’s solution lies in a user-friendly web application. Users input a claim, prompting the AI engine to scour the internet and scrutinize top-tier news outlets for validity. The result is a clear verdict of truth or an honest acknowledgment of uncertainty. Transparency is fundamental to their fact-checking approach.
In a trial conducted by TechCabal, the tool efficiently debunked a popular fake news item about the former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari’s demise, providing primary and secondary sources, a sentiment analysis, and a fake news verdict within seconds.
To address accessibility concerns for those without internet access, Olasupo outlined plans to utilize radio programs, USSD code solutions, and a toll-free number for fact-checking services. FactCheck Africa is committed to ensuring that fact-checking is readily available to people from all backgrounds.
One notable feature of the FactChecking web tool is its translation capability, covering five languages: English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and French—widely spoken across West Africa.
BBYDI has a history of projects aimed at countering misinformation, including KnowCovid19Ng in 2020 to combat COVID-19 misinformation. In preparation for the 2023 general elections, they initiated the Factcheck elections Ng project to validate claims from politicians. FactCheck Africa, born from these initiatives, consolidates multiple projects under one platform to combat fake news in Nigeria and West Africa.
FactCheck Africa’s recent success in the US West African Tech Challenge is set to propel their expansion into other West African countries. The financial support from the competition, estimated to be around $250,000, will be instrumental in their growth.
Looking ahead, FactCheck Africa envisions a gamified fact-checking platform targeting teenagers, aiming to make the process of countering misinformation engaging and educational.
While challenges lie ahead, including user adoption, FactCheck Africa’s experience in civic advocacy positions them well to reach diverse communities across Nigeria and West Africa, paving the way for a more informed and discerning public.