The State of Fact-Checking in West Africa: 5 Key Takeaways from Our Latest Report

As misinformation, disinformation and other digital threats increasingly undermine public trust, electoral integrity and democratic governance in West Africa, fact-checking organisations (FCOs) have become important actors in safeguarding the region’s information ecosystem.

But how well equipped are these organisations to respond to emerging threats? How effectively do they collaborate, and what needs to change to strengthen their collective impact?

These questions are at the heart of a new study by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), titled “Mapping Capacities, Structures and Strategic Influence of West Africa’s Fact-checking Organisations for Enhanced Collaboration.”

The MFWA, on 16 October 2026, launched the study which examines the presence, operational capacities, structures, strategic influence and collaborative arrangements of FCOs across West Africa. It also identifies the institutional, financial and technological challenges limiting their effectiveness. The study also proposes measures to strengthen regional cooperation among the FCOs.

The research findings were presented by the researcher, Dr Kojo Impraim, Programme Director for the Media for Democracy and Good Governance programme at the MFWA. The report was launched by H.E. Josephine Nkrumah, former Ambassador and ECOWAS Resident Representative in Liberia.

Here are five key findings from the study and what they mean for the future of information integrity in West Africa.

1. West Africa has a growing fact-checking ecosystem, but its development remains uneven.

The study mapped 44 FCOs operating across West Africa. This comprises 38 nationally based organisations and six operating across borders. Nigeria and Ghana emerged as hubs for fact-checking activities, with six and five nationally based organisations respectively. The mapping also revealed disparities in the geographical distribution of FCOs, particularly across Anglophone, Francophone and Lusophone countries.

2. Fact-checking goes beyond correcting false information

The FCOs play an important role in promoting democratic governance through information verification, media literacy, public education, policy advocacy and monitoring emerging information threats. However, the study argues that fact-checking must move beyond reacting to false claims after they have been circulated. Greater investment in proactive monitoring and early warning mechanisms is needed to prevent harmful narratives from escalating.

3. Limited funding, staffing and technological capacities threaten the sustainability of FCOs

Many FCOs depend heavily on short-term donor funding, particularly during elections. Consequently, their activities often decline after electoral periods, despite misinformation and disinformation remaining persistent threats. The study identified inadequate staffing, limited access to advanced verification technologies and gender disparities as operational challenges affecting the work of FCOs in West Africa.

4. Regional collaboration remains weak and fragmented

Although national initiatives such as the Ghana Fact-Checking Coalition and the Nigeria Fact-Checkers’ Coalition demonstrate the benefits of collaboration, West Africa lacks a dedicated regional coordination framework for FCOs. Differences in verification approaches, national policies, languages and institutional capacities further constrain cross-border cooperation. The study therefore recommends establishing a formal regional network to facilitate information sharing, resource pooling, joint training and coordinated responses to emerging digital threats.

5. ECOWAS must play a stronger role in coordinating regional fact-checking efforts:

The study identifies ECOWAS as a strategic institution for strengthening regional cooperation and integrating fact-checking into existing early warning mechanisms. The study proposes five priority actions for strengthening the regional fact-checking ecosystem:

• Harmonise verification methods and standards: Develop common verification protocols, tools and approaches to measuring the effectiveness of fact-checking interventions.

• Strengthen information sharing and rapid response: Establish regional alert platforms, information-sharing mechanisms and joint capacity-building initiatives.

• Establish a formal regional network: Create a coordinated structure that enables national and cross-border FCOs to share expertise, resources and operational intelligence.

• Strengthen policy and institutional support: Encourage ECOWAS, the African Union, national governments and relevant stakeholders to develop coherent regional information integrity frameworks.

• Secure sustainable funding: Promote multi-stakeholder financing, diversified revenue sources and institutional arrangements that protect the operational and editorial independence of FCOs.

The MFWA study establishes that West Africa needs to move from fragmented, largely reactive fact-checking initiatives towards a coordinated, proactive and sustainable regional response to information disorder.

Strengthening the capacities and independence of FCOs, alongside greater regional collaboration, will be essential to protecting information integrity, public trust and democratic governance.

The full recording of the webinar can be accessed here. Also read and download the study below.