The rise of social media and the internet has intensified the spread of harmful and misleading content. This surge in disinformation poses a threat to social stability, especially in Africa, where it can create confusion and exacerbate tensions.

Francophone Africa now has a dedicated mobile application to combat disinformation. Launched on Thursday, February 6, by Tama Média, La Voix de Mopti, and Sétanal Média, with support from Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), the AKILI app aims to bolster fact-checking in a region increasingly saturated with misleading content.

“AKILI relies on a unique combination of cutting-edge technology, artificial intelligence, and human intervention to provide a solution tailored to the region's complex challenges,” the project’s initiators explained. “By leveraging advanced algorithms, AKILI analyzes and verifies information from reliable sources while allowing users to seek expert input from specialized journalists for more complex cases. This hybrid approach ensures a high level of accuracy and credibility.”

The launch is part of the Jumelages entre initiatives francophones de lutte contre les désordres de l'information" (Collaborations between Francophone initiatives combating information disorders) program, which selected the three media partners as 2024 laureates. Designed with an intuitive and engaging interface, the app is accessible to all. It also promotes digital literacy by educating users on the mechanics of disinformation and fostering critical thinking—an essential skill given the growing spread of false information.

AKILI offers several key features: users can verify the authenticity of an article by pasting its link into the chatbot; query the AKILI chatbot via text, video, or voice note; submit fact-checking requests to specialized journalists when a claim cannot be automatically verified; and access educational content, including podcasts and fact-checking videos. These resources are available in French and African languages such as Fulfuldé, Bambara, Wolof, Lingala, and Swahili.

In an African context where disinformation can have significant consequences for social stability and community cohesion, AKILI positions itself as an essential tool. By improving access to reliable information, the app aims to strengthen public trust in the media and contribute to both social stability and sustainable development across African societies.

By Samira Njoya,

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji