Application Deadline: 27 February 2026.
Applications are now open for the Code for Africa (CfA) 2026 Mythbusters Fellowships. Code for Africa (CfA) is offering five (5) part-time Mythbusters fellowships to community influencers in Africa. During the three-month fellowship, fellows will serve as messengers to advance information resilience in target communities by improving access to factual information. These fellowships are part of a joint initiative between CfA and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthen information integrity through detecting, disrupting and deplatforming malign actors in the SADC region.
The fellowship aims to protect inclusive democracy and human rights in the digital age. It leverages digital technologies to strengthen democracy with an emphasis on climate-related narratives, foreign information manipulation and interference, the 2026 South African municipal elections and xenophobia in the following countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Madagascar, South Africa, and the United Republic of Tanzania.
Fellows Responsibilities
- Successful applicants will work with CfA’s forensic investigation team, iLAB, and the PesaCheck team to share evidence-based information designed to prevent information manipulation in their communities. Fellows will use their visual storytelling skills and/or significant social media presence to share investigative findings. They will produce short, engaging content in graphic, audio, or video formats, primarily in local languages.
- Academy Africa will train fellows on fact-checking, ethics, and accuracy in reporting, and a team of international experts and investigative analysts from iLAB and social media engagement professionals from CfA’s Engagement team will mentor participants. Fellows will develop the skills to recognise manipulative claims and demand reliable information from the media and watchdog civil society organisations.
Requirements
The Mythbusters Fellowship seeks to empower nano- and micro-influencers in the target countries to become champions of information integrity. These influencers will use their digital platforms to highlight the dangers of manipulative content in the target countries. Their role involves leading local discussions on the harmful impact of misleading information on the two main fellowship themes.
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- You must be a social media influencer with a large following that actively engages with your content, including in live social media discussions. We will give priority to trusted local messengers working as nano- or macro-influencers.
- You must be non-partisan, with no ties to government agencies, paramilitary organisations, political parties, state-affiliated media, or other bodies that may create the perception of partisanship during elections.
- You must commit to publishing/disseminating your content on your social media accounts.
- You must be fluent in either English or French.
- You must have access to a reliable laptop or desktop computer with stable internet connectivity to participate in programme activities and online courses/mentorship.
- You must commit to sharing your new skills and knowledge in your organisation, with your followers, and with the wider journalism/research community by showcasing your projects and techniques to your peers.
- You must be available for virtual training and mentorship sessions.
Benefits
The programme will run for three months and will include:
- Training and mentorship: CfA will provide advanced training and mentorship in media and social media monitoring.
- Networking: Fellows will join the Congress for Peace (COPP) influencers network and will be invited to speak at network events or present at major continental conferences.
- Stipend: Fellows will receive a competitive monthly stipend to support participation in training and mentorship sessions.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Code for Africa (CfA) Mythbusters Fellowships
