FactCheckAfrica has announced its selection for a European Union-backed technical assistance contract aimed at strengthening efforts to counter disinformation, hate speech, and electoral manipulation across West Africa.
The contract, which covers Lot 1 (Nigeria), falls under the EU Support to ECOWAS in Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) programme focused on electoral integrity and information safety.
It will be implemented by the Fundación para la Internacionalización de las Administraciones Públicas (FIAP), a Spanish cooperation entity, in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), with funding support from the European Union, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The EPSG programme is designed to strengthen peace, security, and governance systems across ECOWAS member states, with a strong focus on addressing emerging threats linked to digital disinformation and artificial intelligence in elections.
Strengthening Electoral Integrity in West Africa
Component 3 of the programme targets electoral integrity by addressing misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech, which have increasingly influenced electoral processes in the region.
It also focuses on preventing electoral violence and reducing the spread of harmful narratives during election cycles in countries including Nigeria, The Gambia, and Benin ahead of upcoming elections.
The initiative is expected to support stronger democratic processes by improving access to verified information and strengthening institutional response mechanisms.
FactCheckAfrica’s Mandate in Nigeria
Under the 25-month contract, FactCheckAfrica will serve as a First Line Organisation, deploying its networks across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to support electoral integrity initiatives.
The organisation will provide technical support to media outlets and civil society groups working on democratic engagement and peaceful elections.
It will also organise training for social media influencers on responsible online conduct during elections, as well as youth- and women-focused digital advocacy campaigns.
Additional activities include webinars, capacity-building sessions for journalists, financial support for fact-checking platforms, and training in indigenous languages for inclusive electoral coverage.
Regional Capacity Building and Engagement
The programme also includes international forums and seminars on disinformation, electoral risks, and crisis communication strategies in fragile contexts.
These engagements are designed to strengthen collaboration between media, civil society, and electoral stakeholders across West Africa.
FactCheckAfrica said the initiative will help build stronger networks for information verification and improve public resilience against false narratives.
The organisation added that the programme places strong emphasis on inclusion, ensuring participation from women, youth, journalists, and community leaders.
Statement from FactCheckAfrica
FactCheckAfrica described the contract as a major responsibility and a recognition of its work in promoting information integrity across Africa. The organisation said it remains committed to equipping journalists, civil society actors, and communities with tools to identify and counter misinformation.
It also noted that the project comes at a critical time, with rising concerns over digital manipulation ahead of elections in the region.
FactCheckAfrica expressed appreciation to the European Union, BMZ, and Denmark for supporting democratic governance initiatives in West Africa, as well as FIAP and ECOWAS for their roles in the programme.
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