Applications are currently being accepted for the 2025/2026 African Academy for Open Source Investigation (AAOSI) Fellowship, an initiative led by Code for Africa (CfA). This opportunity is designed for journalists working in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire who wish to strengthen their skills in open-source digital investigations. The fellowship will focus on helping media professionals and civil society researchers uncover and analyze attempts to manipulate information online, including coordinated false narratives and deceptive digital behavior. By participating, fellows will also help promote access to trustworthy information within their regions.

AAOSI operates under a collaboration between several CfA specialist teams, bringing together advanced digital expertise in forensic research, artificial intelligence, and professional fact-checking. Through this initiative, selected journalists will grow their abilities to investigate influence networks and contribute to a wider community of open-source investigators operating across Africa and beyond. The experience is built to encourage cross-border collaboration and contribute to public awareness about information threats in the digital space.

The programme spans a duration of four months and is intended to reinforce the media ecosystem in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal by countering falsehoods, harmful content, and propaganda circulating online. It also aims to improve the resilience of local newsrooms and civic watchdog groups by equipping them with the tools needed for evidence-based reporting. Fellows must currently be operating in the target countries and be officially attached to a recognized media outlet or civil society organization serving African audiences. They should already have at least a year of reporting or research experience, demonstrate recent publication history, and be able to take part in weekly remote learning and mentorship activities. Strong communication throughout the programme is essential, and applicants must be confident working in either French or English.

A commitment to share the knowledge they gain with colleagues is also required, as is readiness from the fellow’s organization to publish the investigative outputs produced during the programme. Participants will receive a stipend to support their investigative work, along with direct guidance from specialists in data analysis, digital forensics, and storytelling. Their findings will be published through their home platforms and may be showcased more widely through partnerships facilitated by CfA.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity