Africa Check is a legally registered organisation, whose governing body is the non-profit Africa Check Trust, based in South Africa. It is registered with the Master's Office in Cape Town South Africa, with registration number IT000728/2015(C). 

On the homepage of our website https://africacheck.org/who-we-are, we state that Africa Check was set up in 2012 as a fact-checking organisation, based in the offices of the Journalism Department of the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, with funding from a media innovation contest organised by the International Press Institute.

Today we operate across Africa, with offices in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Senegal. The Johannesburg office is our overall headquarters. The editorial team based in Johannesburg oversees the work of our South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya offices, as shown on our English-language website https://africacheck.org/. The Senegal office, also answers to the Johannesburg head office, and runs our French-language site https://africacheck.org/fr, covering Senegal and other countries of francophone West Africa. 

The organization has provided the necessary information and attached a document to prove its legal status. Africa Check provides information on how the organization started, and where it operates. The registration details are also provided Africa. The organisation says that: Africa Check is a non-profit organisation, headquartered in South Africa as a non-profit trust, registration number IT000728/2015(C). It is registered as the Africa Check Foundation in Kenya and operates in Nigeria and Senegal through representative offices. See details at: https://africacheck.org/who-we-are/how-we-are-funded.

1. Africa Check was set up in 2012 as a fact-checking organisation to promote accuracy & honesty in public debate and the media across the African continent.

2. Our team of 47 people full-time and part-time staff, operate across Africa, with offices in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Senegal. The Johannesburg office is our overall headquarters. The editorial team based in Johannesburg oversees the work of our South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya offices and the Senegal office runs our French-language work, covering Senegal and other countries of francophone West Africa. Detailed roles of each team member can be found on https://africacheck.org/who-we-are/our-team.

3. We carry out five key activities: Fact-checking claims made by public figures and media and liaising with them to correct those that are false; Train and mentor media to carry out non-partisan fact-checking themselves; Develop fact-checking tools and accurate data on key topics, making them more easily available; Partner with social media platforms and search engines to red flag false claims and highlight accurate information; Outreach work to educate the public, particularly the young, to identify misinformation.

4. We set a number of goals for the year, including developing an AI strategy to make us more efficient and responsive to the needs of the public, strengthening our media literacy work to empower people to be more critical about information they see and share and broadening our reach and impact through radio and local languages.

Africa Check has on its website provided information on the fact that it was exclusively established for the purpose of fact-checking. See https://africacheck.org/who-we-are for more details. 

We publish fact-checking outputs every week which include fact-checks, blogs, podcasts, factsheets and guides to fact-checking. These can all be seen on our English site: https://africacheck.org/fact-checks and French site https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks.

In each language we produce three main types of fact-check (full-length fact-checks called "reports"; shorter fact-checks called "spot checks" and fact-checks we do specifically on content seen on Facebook.

They can be seen on these links in English:

1) https://africacheck.org/latest-reports/

2) https://africacheck.org/latest-reports/spot-check/

3) https://africacheck.org/fact-checks/meta-programme-fact-checks

And in French:

1) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/articles

2) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/spotchecks

3) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/meta-programme-fact-checks

Africa Check fully complies because of the number of issues fact checked in the last six months before application. This is evident on its website.

Please refer to the attached spreadsheet for the list of fact-checks published in both English and French work, categorised by the type of issue fact-checked. 

Africa Check has fact checked many issues almost all which impact on the welfare or well-being of individuals, the general public or society.

Africa Check is not funded by and does not receive support from any state or political actors in the countries we cover.

Even though Africa Check says it is not funded by any state or political actors, there is evidence that a small percentage of its funding comes from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation which is a German political party foundation associated with but independent of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union. Even though Konrad Adenauer Foundation is German, it can be found in many African countries and thus not sure whether the money comes directly from Germany. The evidence on the website based on the issues fact-checked do not reveal any control by the state, a political party or politician.

N/A as per response in 1.5. 

Africa Check provides a list of their partners (https://africacheck.org/who-we-are/partners) and sources of funding (https://africacheck.org/who-we-are/how-we-are-funded) on the website. It says that it is an independent, non-partisan organization which suggests that its funders do not influence the findings of its reports. This is also reflected in the reports the organization produces although there is no statement on the website indicating clearly that the funders do not influence the findings of its reports

As a guiding principle at Africa Check, our fact-check reports should be not just verified, by us, but verifiable by our readers. That means we have to provide the evidence we base our judgements on – links, PDFS and other such documents – not just the judgements themselves. The process we use to produce our work hinges on being transparent about how we find and use sources in our reports, factsheets and guides. 

This is the 9-step process that we follow to ensure that we use the same high standards for every fact-check:

1. Select the claim to fact-check: Our teams monitor statements made in the public domain and submissions from readers. We then assess the claim to decide whether it should be fact-checked. Is the topic important? Is the claim framed as a statement of fact or opinion? Does the claim matter? Have we focused on this speaker before? We make sure to check all sides in any debate.

2. Confirm what was said: We establish exactly what was said. Claims that readers send us to check can sometimes be vague. But to check a claim, we need the precise wording. What exactly did they say? Was it as reported? And what was the context in which it was said?

3. Ask for evidence: We always try to contact the person who made the statement to ask for the evidence they based it on. This allows them the opportunity to substantiate their statement.

4. Check the most recent, reliable data: Our next step is to test the claim against the most recent and reliable data on the topic. This can include surveys, censuses and research studies. We interrogate this data to understand any limitations and important context that readers need to be aware of.

5. Discuss the evidence with experts: Once we’ve secured the evidence and broader context, we discuss it with specialist experts. They can help us understand the data and provide analysis. We only quote experts willing to go on the record, as we do not use anonymous sources.

6. Write up the report: We write up our report. This includes setting out the claim itself and the context in which it was delivered and reported. We then explain any evidence that supports the claim or contradicts it. We end with a conclusion that summarises the report and explains the verdict we have reached. We also summarise the report before presenting the detail, for readers who may want to take everything in at a glance. For all evidence we present, we provide a link or quote the source.

7. Have a colleague review the report and its findings: To ensure that the report is accurate, one of the researcher’s colleagues will review the report and independently assess the findings.

8. Publish and monitor feedback: Finally, we publish the report and monitor feedback. If a reader identifies an error, we update the report openly.

9. Impact: If a claim is found to be incorrect, unproven or misleading, we contact the person who made the claim. We explain our findings and ask that they issue a public correction.

Africa Check has provided links and offered an explanation to demonstrate its non-partisanship, how it uses the same high standards of evidence for equivalent claims, how it follows the same process for every fact check and the evidence necessary to support its conclusions.

On our English site: https://africacheck.org/get-involved/submit-claim-fact-check

On our French site: https://africacheck.org/fr/impliquez-vous/soumettre-une-declaration-pour-verification-des-faits 

Africa Check has checked numerous reports which shows its varied interests. Besides, there is a statement on its website explaining how it selects claims to check.

https://africacheck.org

Our fact-checks can be seen on these links in English:

1) https://africacheck.org/latest-reports/

2) https://africacheck.org/latest-reports/spot-check/

3) https://africacheck.org/fact-checks/meta-programme-fact-checks

And in French:

1) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/articles

2) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/spotchecks

3) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/meta-programme-fact-checks

Africa Check provides a list of the sources consulted which enhances the credibility of its work.

Our fact-checks can be seen on these links in English:

1) https://africacheck.org/latest-reports/

2) https://africacheck.org/latest-reports/spot-check/

3) https://africacheck.org/fact-checks/meta-programme-fact-checks

And in French:

1) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/articles

2) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/spotchecks

3) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/meta-programme-fact-checks

Africa Check is not affiliated with nor declares or shows support for any party, any politician or political candidate, nor does it advocate for or against any policy positions. It has made that clear on its website, and a review of the articles published does not show any support for any political party or politician.

https://africacheck.org/get-involved/join-our-team.

All prospective hires at Africa Check are asked about current or past direct involvement in political or advocacy organisations. Candidates are not hired if they have in the past or at present held an active role in any political party. The fundamental importance of our work of non-partisanship is discussed regularly at staff meetings and staff are all required to ensure that their personal communication on social media meets these standards. Africa Check takes no advocacy position on any issue other than promoting the importance of data transparency and accuracy. Africa Check never has and never will support any political party.

Africa Check assesses the work of all external collaborators/contributors before any work is commissioned from them. This is done to ensure that our collaborators/contributors are cleared of any actual or perceived bias and that their work is deemed credible and non-partisan. We continue to assess their work for us and others during the time they are working with us to ensure compliance with our non-partisan stance. 

Africa Check makes it clear on its home page (https://africacheck.org) that its non-partisan which also applies to its staff. There is no evidence to suggest any of its staff members are involved in advocacy. There is also no indication that staff members publicise their views on policy issues the organisation might fact check.

Our fact-checks can be seen on these links in English:

1) https://africacheck.org/latest-reports/

2) https://africacheck.org/latest-reports/spot-check/

3) https://africacheck.org/fact-checks/meta-programme-fact-checks

And in French:

1) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/articles

2) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/spotchecks

3) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/meta-programme-fact-checks

An assessment of the fact checks done shows that Africa Check provides the links to the sources consulted with some links.

Our fact-checks can be seen on these links in English:

1) https://africacheck.org/latest-reports/

2) https://africacheck.org/latest-reports/spot-check/

3) https://africacheck.org/fact-checks/meta-programme-fact-checks

And in French:

1) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/articles

2) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/spotchecks

3) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/meta-programme-fact-checks

There are indications that Africa Check uses some primary sources although most are secondary sources. There is some explanation on the use of secondary sources so this cannot be taken to be strictly compliant. A number of stories were examined to determine the use of primary and secondary sources. Consider the following article (#NigeriaDecides2023: Ruling APC party chiefs fall flat with TV claims about the economy, available at ). If you read through it you will find them quoting economists, World Bank, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and others. This shows their use of mostly secondary sources. Let’s consider another article (No, South African MPs are generally not paid less than their international counterparts, available at ). You will see they have used Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers, Peter Makapan, head of secretariat at the remuneration commission, and other sources. To me this shows their use of other sources to fact-check. The section on ‘How we fact-check’ (see https://africacheck.org/how-we-fact-check) details the process, including checking the most recent and reliable data, and discussing the evidence with experts.

Our fact-checks can be seen on these links in English:

1) https://africacheck.org/latest-reports/

2) https://africacheck.org/latest-reports/spot-check/

3) https://africacheck.org/fact-checks/meta-programme-fact-checks

And in French:

1) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/articles

2) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/spotchecks

3) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/meta-programme-fact-checks

The applicant uses numerous sources to act check. The sources are named and, where they are online, a link is provided.

Our fact-checks can be seen on these links in English:

1) https://africacheck.org/latest-reports/

2) https://africacheck.org/latest-reports/spot-check/

3) https://africacheck.org/fact-checks/meta-programme-fact-checks

And in French:

1) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/articles

2) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/spotchecks

3) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/meta-programme-fact-checks

There is evidence from the material published on its site that the applicant has provided relevant interests of the sources used.

Africa Check is an independent organisation. Africa Check's governing body is the non-profit Africa Check Trust, based in South Africa. It is registered with the Master's Office in Cape Town South Africa, with registration number IT000728/2015(C). 

Africa Check is an independent organisation which has published its sources of funding (https://africacheck.org/who-we-are/how-we-are-funded) and partners (https://africacheck.org/who-we-are/partners). It also has information on the legal form in which it was registered (https://africacheck.org/who-we-are).

Africa Check is registered as a non-profit. We set out how we are funded on our English-language site here https://africacheck.org/about-us/how-we-are-funded and French-language site here https://africacheck.org/fr/qui-nous-sommes/comment-nous-sommes-finances

Africa Check makes it clear it's registered as an NGO and is not part of a media house. See the details published at https://africacheck.org/who-we-are.

https://africacheck.org/who-we-are

Our organizational structure is set out on this link here https://africacheck.org/who-we-are. 

We state how and by whom editorial control is exercised through the process we follow in this link here https://africacheck.org/how-we-fact-check and this link here https://africacheck.org/how-we-fact-check/how-we-rate-claims. 

The 'our team' section on its website provides details of the people working with the organisation, including those in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Senegal as well as project team and board members (https://africacheck.org/who-we-are/our-team). However, there is no statement clearly spelling out how and by whom editorial control is exercised.

The 'our team' section on its website provides details of the people working with the organisation, including those in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Senegal as well as project team and board members (https://africacheck.org/who-we-are/our-team). Africa Check has provided the process they follow (see https://africacheck.org/how-we-fact-check), and especially under 6 and 7, that is 'write up the report' and 'have a colleague review the report and its findings' respectively. This shows the process they follow and who then exercises editorial control. It is not, however, clear who exactly the buck stops with.

https://africacheck.org/who-we-are/our-team

Africa Check website provides details the professional biography of all those involved in editorial output. See https://africacheck.org/who-we-are/our-team and click on teach of the members.

People in the public can contact us in many ways - via a generic email address, via social media and through contacting our offices directly. All this is set out on our contact page shown here in English https://africacheck.org/who-we-are/get-in-touch and here in French https://africacheck.org/fr/qui-nous-sommes/contactez-nous

There is information on the website on how to communicate with the team, including via email, phone, twitter, and others. See https://africacheck.org/who-we-are/get-in-touch for more details.

We set out our methodology in detail on this page in English: https://africacheck.org/about-us/how-we-work/ and in this page in French https://africacheck.org/fr/comment-nous-verifions-les-faits

We also set out our methodology regularly in our fact-checks and in a series of "how-to" guides that we publish online and discuss in training we do for reporters and the public. Examples of guides can be seen here: https://africacheck.org/how-to-fact-check/factsheets-and-guides/.

The applicant has provided a statement about the methodology at and the steps they follow in their fact checking process.

Our fact-checks can be seen on these links in English:

1) https://africacheck.org/latest-reports/

2) https://africacheck.org/latest-reports/spot-check/

3) https://africacheck.org/fact-checks/meta-programme-fact-checks

And in French:

1) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/articles

2) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/spotchecks

3) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/meta-programme-fact-checks

Africa Check has published the following statement on its website: "Our teams monitor statements made in the public domain and submissions from readers. We then assess the claim to decide whether it should be fact-checked. Is the topic important? Is the claim framed as a statement of fact or opinion? Does the claim matter? Have we focused on this speaker before? We make sure to check all sides in any debate." (See the statement at: https://africacheck.org/how-we-fact-check). The statement not only reflects how the claims are checked but also how rigorous the process is.

Our fact-checks can be seen on these links in English:

1) https://africacheck.org/latest-reports/

2) https://africacheck.org/latest-reports/spot-check/

3) https://africacheck.org/fact-checks/meta-programme-fact-checks

And in French:

1) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/articles

2) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/spotchecks

3) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/meta-programme-fact-checks

All the works fact checked offer evidence to either support or undermine the claims made. This is evident in the articles published where various sources are cited especially when challenging the veracity of what is published.

Our fact-checks can be seen on these links in English:

1) https://africacheck.org/latest-reports/

2) https://africacheck.org/latest-reports/spot-check/

3) https://africacheck.org/fact-checks/meta-programme-fact-checks

And in French:

1) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/articles

2) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/spotchecks

3) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/meta-programme-fact-checks

Most of the articles found on the applicant's website show that the claims are fact-checked regardless of who made the claims. For example, fact checking done on claims made by politicians in Kenya and Nigeria reveal that the applicant is driven by the need to fact check rather than who made them. So it is clear that merit of the evidence is what drives the work of the applicant.

Our fact-checks can be seen on these links in English:

1) https://africacheck.org/latest-reports/

2) https://africacheck.org/latest-reports/spot-check/

3) https://africacheck.org/fact-checks/meta-programme-fact-checks

And in French:

1) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/articles

2) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/spotchecks

3) https://africacheck.org/fr/fact-checks/meta-programme-fact-checks

There is evidence that Africa Check attempts to contact those who made the claims or their teams where the person who made the claim is not available. This is evident, for example, in the following article: From no-shows to walk-outs: Fact-checking Kenya’s presidential candidates debate (https://africacheck.org/fact-checks/reports/no-shows-walk-outs-fact-checking-kenyas-presidential-candidates-debate). This is not always done, however. Granted, the fact checking seems rigorous enough and it is not always possible to get those who made the claims to respond to the applicant's enquiries.

We invite the public to submit claims using multiple channels including a form on our website, on our Info Finder tools in the "You Asked" section, by tagging us on social media and through our WhatsApp lines which we actively promote online and offline. Our website provides clear guidance on what we can and cannot check and how we select what to fact-check.

See here in English: https://africacheck.org/how-to-fact-check/submit-a-claim-to-check/

And here in French: https://fr.africacheck.org/verifier-des-faits/soumettre-une-declaration-a-verifier/ 

The applicant invites via its website users to send in claims to check. See https://africacheck.org/how-to-fact-check/submit-a-claim-to-check/ for details on how users can send in claims.

Our corrections policy is set out here in English https://africacheck.org/how-we-fact-check/corrections-policy and here in French https://africacheck.org/fr/comment-nous-verifions-les-faits/politique-de-correction.

Africa Check has a corrections or complaints under the 'How we fact-check' section (see https://africacheck.org/how-we-fact-check/corrections-policy). This might not be readily visible to anyone unless they know where to find it. It is however accessible on the organization’s website.

Our corrections policy is set out here in English https://africacheck.org/how-we-fact-check/corrections-policy and here in French https://africacheck.org/fr/comment-nous-verifions-les-faits/politique-de-correction.

Understand the correction policy (https://africacheck.org/how-we-fact-check/corrections-policy), Africa Check has provided broad definition of what it does and does not cover as well as the process followed to make corrections. It has also published a list of the corrections and clarifications (see https://africacheck.org/how-we-fact-check/corrections-policy/africa-check-corrections-clarifications).

In actioning our corrections policy, Africa Check responds to all complaints received to acknowledge receipts of the complaint and to let the complainant know what the intended next step will be in the process. We also inform all complainants about the outcome of our review process, whether the complaint raised warrants a correction, update or no action at all. We continue to adhere to our corrections policy at all times by encouraging feedback or enquiry from users to all our fact-checks and making clear that there are channels where this can be done. At Africa Check, we believe that corrections are an effective tool for underpinning accountability and transparency.

We did not issue any corrections over the previous year. 

Even though Africa Check publishes corrections and clarifications, it is not clear whether the users of the original see the correction and the corrected version unless they know where to find it which is under the 'How we fact-check'. So whilst this may meet the criteria of open and transparent, it may not always be visible to the user unless they know where to find the corrections and clarifications. However, this may be compliant to the requirement of correcting mistakes.

On our website, listed under our principles, we inform users that they may refer any complaints to the IFCN in English https://africacheck.org/how-we-fact-check/code-principles and in French https://africacheck.org/fr/comment-nous-verifions-les-faits/code-principles.

Africa check states very clearly at <https://africacheck.org/how-we-fact-check/code-principles> that "Should you believe that we are violating the IFCN Code, you may inform the IFCN of this using the complaints page on the IFCN site". This demonstrates its compliance with the requirement.

Africa Check is an independent fact checking company, and is not a unit of a media company. And there is evidence that it adheres to an open and honest corrections policy.