Journalists and fact-checkers in Southern Africa have a new chance to fight misinformation. The Code for Africa (CfA) Fellowships 2026 offer training and support to tackle false information. These fellowships help build stronger newsrooms and protect democratic processes in the region.
Code for Africa runs these fellowships through its African Fact-checking Alliance (AFCA). The program is part of the “Strengthening Information Integrity and Democratic Resilience in Southern Africa” project. This builds on earlier work from 2024-2025, backed by Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Fellows will learn to spot and debunk harmful lies that spread online and in media.
Who Can Apply?
To join the Code for Africa Fellowships 2026, candidates must meet clear rules. They cannot work for paramilitary or security groups and must stay non-partisan. Applicants need at least one year of experience as journalists or digital storytellers, plus a portfolio of published stories.
Fact-checking experience is a plus. Fellows must link with a media outlet to publish their work. Language skills matter too: fluency in English or French, based on the country’s main tongue. A reliable computer and steady internet are required for online training and meetings.
People must live in one of these countries: Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, or Zimbabwe. They also promise to share their new skills with coworkers and post work publicly. CfA helps with media partnerships if needed.
What Do Fellows Gain?
CfA will pick six fellows for six-month stipends. Each one will create fact-checking stories on misinformation in Southern Africa. This hands-on work targets disinformation that hurts communities.
Training comes from top teams like PesaCheck, iLAB, and AFCA. Fellows get editorial guidance, plus one-on-one mentoring from fact-checkers, investigators, data experts, and editors. They learn technical skills to improve or start fact-checking desks in their newsrooms.
Support goes beyond training. Fellows publish on their own platforms with help to reach global audiences. They join virtual meetings and must teach peers back home. This spreads the knowledge wide.
Why These Fellowships Matter Now
Misinformation spreads fast in elections and crises. Southern Africa faces this challenge across borders. The Code for Africa Fellowships 2026 aim to equip journalists with tools to disrupt it. Past phases showed real results, like better fact-checks and stronger media trust.
Focus stays on the listed countries, where info wars affect daily life. Fellows produce work that exposes lies and builds facts. By syndicating stories, they reach more readers and viewers.
Application Details
The deadline is 10 April 2026. Check the official page for full steps: Code for Africa Fellowships webpage. Prepare your portfolio and media ties early. Spots are limited to six, so strong applicants stand out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Code for Africa Fellowships 2026?
Journalists or digital storytellers with at least one year of experience from countries like Angola, South Africa, or Zimbabwe, who have a portfolio and link to a media outlet.
What do fellows gain from the program?
Fellows get six-month stipends, training from experts, one-on-one mentoring, and help to publish fact-checking stories on misinformation.
Which countries are eligible for applicants?
Applicants must live in Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, or Zimbabwe.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is 10 April 2026. Visit the official Code for Africa webpage for full details and to apply.