The Center for Collaborative Investigative Journalism (CCIJ) has been named by the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) as a producer of one of the 2025 Best Investigative Stories from Sub-Saharan Africa.
The selection marks the fourth time in five years that the organization’s work has been ranked among the continent’s most impactful investigations, placing it second only to BBC Africa Eye for the most appearances on the GIJN Editor’s Picks list during this period.
The recognition focuses on “Democracy Deferred,” a cross-border collaborative investigation that scrutinized irregularities, violence, and systemic failures during Nigeria’s presidential elections. Supported by a grant from the Filecoin Foundation for the Decentralized Web and administered by MuckRock, the project mobilized journalists and data analysts from over a dozen Nigerian newsrooms.
CCIJ Executive Director Jeff Kelly Lowenstein expressed pride in the team’s consistent performance.
“I’m enormously proud of the team for the tradition of high-quality work they’ve built through their unstinting commitment and dedication,” Lowenstein said. “We’re grateful to GIJN for the recognition and humbled to be among such outstanding colleagues.”
The investigation distinguished itself by moving beyond traditional text reporting to include high-tech civic engagement tools. These included ElectionWatch, an AI-powered data tool, and innovative storytelling formats like the Data Vault Canyon game and the Shield Your Vote augmented reality experience.
Fola Folayan, CCIJ’s Communications and Partnerships Manager, noted that the organization’s model is designed to equip African journalists with lasting skills and digital methodologies.
“Being included again validates the model we believe in: collaborative investigations, strong data work, and audience-first storytelling,” Folayan said. “We are not just publishing stories. We are building tools, training journalists, and creating ways for people to engage with the truth.”
The GIJN recognition highlights the project’s ability to provide practical resources, such as a reporter’s guide for investigating elections, aimed at strengthening democratic accountability across the region.
