Code for Africa (CfA) has announced a call for applications for the African Academy for Open Source Investigation (AAOSI) Fellowship 2026, targeting journalists across East Africa, West Africa, and the Sahel region. The fellowship is designed to strengthen investigative journalism through advanced open-source investigation skills, digital security expertise, and evidence-based reporting techniques. Programme Overview The AAOSI Fellowship seeks to: Strengthen democratic accountability Enhance digital resilience and security for pro-democracy actors Safeguard digital technologies and online civic spaces Amplify youth voices and civic engagement Combat information manipulation and interference Through specialised training, journalists will gain practical skills in: Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) Social Media Intelligence (SOCMINT) Forensic digital analysis Counter-disinformation reporting The programme addresses key threats such as: Coordinated inauthentic behaviour (CIB) Disinformation campaigns Hate speech and online harassment Propaganda Weaponised artificial intelligence in information ecosystems Eligible Countries & Regions Applications are open to journalists based in: Sahel Region Burkina Faso Chad Mali Niger Senegal West Africa Benin Cameroon Guinea Togo East Africa Ethiopia Somalia South Sudan Applicants must be currently based in one of these countries. Fellowship Structure The 2026 cohort will span four months and includes the following components: Financial Support Monthly stipend to cover fellowship-related activities Technical Training & Mentorship Hands-on OSINT and forensic analysis training One-on-one project mentorship Support from CfA’s data technologists, analysts, multimedia producers, and editors Publishing & Amplification Support Publication on fellows’ home platforms Assistance with international publication Amplification and syndication support Audience growth and engagement strategy guidance Each fellow will be required to produce two evidence-driven investigative reports during the fellowship period. Fellowship Goals The AAOSI Fellowship aims to: Equip investigative media and watchdog civil society organisations with advanced OSINT skills Build a pan-African network of collaborative investigators Enable cross-border investigations into influence operations Strengthen newsroom capacity for data-driven reporting Expand public engagement in fact-based discourse The programme is a joint initiative involving CfA’s CivicSignal AI/machine-learning team, the iLAB forensic research unit, and the PesaCheck fact-checking team. Eligibility Criteria Candidates must: Be based in one of the target countries Have at least one year of journalism experience Demonstrate experience in investigative or data journalism (preferred) Provide links or evidence of recently published work Be affiliated with a media house, digital outlet, or relevant organisation Commit to publishing fellowship outputs on a public platform Participate in weekly online training and mentorship sessions Share acquired knowledge internally within their organisation Be fluent in English or French Women and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Application Deadline Submission Deadline: Friday, 06 March 2026 Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews Due to high application volume, only shortlisted candidates will receive responses About Code for Africa Code for Africa is Africa’s largest civic technology and open data incubator, operating across 21 countries. The organisation focuses on strengthening digital democracy, investigative journalism, and civic engagement through data and technology. CfA supports major initiatives including: openAFRICA sourceAFRICA africanDRONE PesaCheck sensors.AFRICA The organisation also manages the African Network of Centres for Investigative Reporting (ANCIR), providing digital security and forensic data tools to investigative newsrooms across the continent. Strategic Partners The AAOSI Fellowship is supported by key democracy and research partners, including: African Digital Democracy Observatory (ADDO) – A continent-wide coalition researching disinformation and influence operations in Africa. European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) – A global network promoting democratic values and governance support initiatives. Why This Fellowship Matters The AAOSI Fellowship represents a critical investment in: Digital investigative capacity Cross-border journalistic collaboration Resilient information ecosystems Democratic accountability in Africa By equipping journalists with advanced investigative and forensic tools, the programme directly counters digital manipulation while strengthening evidence-based reporting. Qualified journalists interested in advancing their investigative skills and contributing to democratic resilience across Africa are encouraged to apply before the stated deadline. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this fellowship. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. 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