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Combating Digital Falsehoods with Homegrown AI Innovation

The MyAIFactChecker platform emerges from months of research and development by FactCheck Africa, an arm of BBYDI that has operated as an independent, non-partisan fact-checking organisation since 2022. According to Abideen Olasupo, World Director of BBYDI, the tool is built to verify the authenticity of information, social media content, and other online material quickly and easily. It leverages cutting-edge AI technology while prioritising user accessibility, aiming to empower individuals across varying levels of digital literacy. The initiative received support from BECERA and the U.S. State Department, highlighting international recognition of the challenge posed by information disorders in emerging democracies.

A core strength of the platform lies in its multilingual functionality. MyAIFactChecker supports English, Swahili, French, Arabic, and several major local languages spoken across Nigeria and the broader African continent. This linguistic inclusivity is critical in a region where language barriers can hinder access to verified information, particularly in rural or underserved communities. By enabling users to submit queries in their preferred language and receive clear assessments—labelled as credible, partially credible, or unreliable—the platform seeks to democratise access to fact-checking resources.

Timing and Relevance Amid a Continent-Wide Election Surge

The launch comes at a strategically important moment, as 2024 sees approximately 24 African nations preparing to hold national elections. Olasupo emphasized that election periods historically witness a surge in counterfeit information, which can undermine electoral integrity, fuel public distrust, and exacerbate social divisions. He noted that the consequences of unchecked disinformation during such periods extend beyond the ballot box, affecting public health narratives, democratic participation, and national stability. MyAIFactChecker is positioned as a preventive tool, designed to intervene before, during, and after electoral processes to limit the spread of harmful content.

This proactive approach aligns with broader efforts to strengthen media literacy and critical thinking across Africa. BBYDI has consistently advocated for equipping citizens—not just journalists or officials—with the tools to assess information critically. By placing verification capabilities directly in the hands of the public, the platform supports a more informed electorate, which is essential for credible democratic outcomes. The initiative reflects a growing consensus that technological solutions must be paired with civic education to build resilience against information manipulation.

Expanding Impact Through Journalism Fellowship and Civic Tech Leadership

Beyond the fact-checking tool itself, BBYDI announced complementary initiatives aimed at sustaining long-term impact. FactCheck Africa has launched a three-month AI Journalism Fellowship for journalists in West Africa. The programme is described as a comprehensive training effort that will equip participants with the skills, ethical guidelines, and technical understanding needed to navigate the complexities of AI in modern journalism. As newsrooms across the continent grapple with the integration of AI tools, such fellowships aim to promote responsible innovation while upholding journalistic standards.

Nura Jimoh, Executive Director of BBYDI, highlighted the organisation’s broader commitment to using technology for social good. She referenced past initiatives including the CivicTech Hackathon organised with Christian Aid to tackle voter apathy, the evit.ng platform for tracking election-related violence, and conflictreport.org to mediate farmer-herder tensions in northern Nigeria. During the COVID-19 pandemic, BBYDI supported KnowCovid19NG with backing from the U.S. Embassy to disseminate accurate health information and provide psychosocial assistance. Earlier, Yvotenaija.org was launched to promote civic education at the grassroots level ahead of the 2023 general elections. These efforts illustrate a pattern of deploying digital tools to address specific societal challenges, from electoral participation to public health and conflict mitigation.

Ethical AI Advocacy and National Strategy Alignment

Olasupo used the platform’s launch to reiterate BBYDI’s advocacy for ethical AI frameworks in Nigeria and across Africa. He noted his recent participation in the 2024 United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum in New York, where he spoke on 'The ethical use of AI and its implications for education in Africa.' The organisation continues to push for policies that maximise AI’s benefits while mitigating risks such as bias, misuse, and erosion of public trust. This stance reflects a growing awareness that AI deployment in public interest contexts must be guided by transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.

He also commended Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, for leading the development of a national Artificial Intelligence Strategy. Olasupo described this effort as essential for positioning Nigeria to harness AI responsibly for national development. The alignment between grassroots initiatives like MyAIFactChecker and top-down policy efforts suggests a maturing ecosystem where innovation is increasingly supported by strategic vision. For businesses, educators, and civil society actors, this convergence presents opportunities to collaborate on scalable, ethical AI applications that serve both commercial and societal objectives.

What this means

The introduction of MyAIFactChecker marks a meaningful step forward in Africa’s fight against information disorder. By combining accessible AI technology with linguistic diversity and civic engagement, the platform offers a practical tool for individuals seeking to navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape. As elections approach across the continent, initiatives like this one—rooted in local insight yet scaled through innovation—will be vital in preserving the integrity of public discourse. For businesses, policymakers, and citizens alike, the launch serves as a reminder that sustainable solutions to digital challenges must be inclusive, ethically grounded, and empowered by local leadership. In an era where information shapes perception and action, tools that promote truth and clarity are not just useful—they are essential.