After years of painstaking work battling misinformation across the continent, FactCheckAfrica has earned its place among the world’s most credible fact-checking organizations. The Nigerian-led initiative was officially named a verified signatory to the Code of Principles of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) at Poynter in May 2025.
The recognition follows a rigorous review process by IFCN, which assesses the transparency, funding structure, methodology, and editorial independence of applicant organizations. FactCheckAfrica’s acceptance comes after a two-year pause in new applications by the global network, making its approval especially significant.
“We welcome FactCheckAfrica in joining IFCN’s Code of Principles as a Verified Signatory,” the IFCN stated. “It’s great to have you on board, and we look forward to deepening our collaboration for the advancement of fact-checking.”
For founder Abideen Olasupo, the milestone isn’t just a badge of honor — it’s a validation of purpose.
“This verification is a milestone that not only validates our work but reinforces our commitment to public accountability and access to truth across Africa,” Olasupo said. “At a time when misinformation is threatening democratic institutions and social cohesion, this recognition strengthens our resolve to build trust and promote digital media literacy at scale.”
Since its inception, FactCheckAfrica has pioneered the use of artificial intelligence to fight false narratives and enhance public knowledge. Through its flagship tool, MyAIFactChecker, the platform delivers multilingual fact-checks and media literacy content in Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, English, Arabic, French, and Swahili — a deliberate step toward closing Africa’s information gap.
“I’m grateful to the team for the hard work over the years, culminating in this milestone,” Olasupo added. “This not only reinforces FactCheckAfrica’s credibility but also strengthens the overall integrity of Nigerian journalism.”
The platform’s impact has been felt through its consistent presence in misinformation hotspots — especially during elections, public health crises, and periods of conflict. It has also played a key role in digital literacy campaigns, including campus trainings, community outreaches, and AI journalism fellowships.
With IFCN verification, FactCheckAfrica will now have access to international fact-checking collaborations, capacity development initiatives, and events like GlobalFact — the world’s largest annual gathering of fact-checkers. The organization is also eligible for grants and global partnerships that can expand its reach and scale its innovation.
Speaking on the achievement, Habeeb Adisa, Head of Programs at FactCheckAfrica, said, “This recognition by the IFCN is both a reward and a responsibility. It reaffirms our long-standing commitment to editorial integrity and transparency. More importantly, it positions us to build stronger partnerships, enhance our fact-checking innovations, and continue empowering African communities with credible, accessible information in their own languages.”
