BBYDI Launches MyAIFactChecker WhatsApp Chatbot to Tackle Misinformation in Africa
The Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI) has launched MyAIFactChecker, an artificial intelligence powered WhatsApp chatbot designed to help citizens verify information and curb the spread of misinformation across Nigeria and the African continent.
The chatbot was unveiled on Friday at a press conference held at BBYDI’s office in Ilorin, Kwara State.
While speaking, the Communications Director of BBYDI, Mr. Sanni Alausa Issa, described misinformation as a growing threat to democratic participation, social cohesion, and informed citizenship, particularly during election periods.
“Misinformation does not spread because people are careless. It spreads because people care—about their families, their communities, and their country. Unfortunately, false information exploits those good intentions.”. He explained
BBYDI said the WhatsApp fact-checking tool was designed after research and community feedback revealing that many vulnerable populations lacked reliable access to web-based platforms due to high data costs, poor connectivity, and limited digital literacy.
“WhatsApp is where news travels fastest in Africa—both true and false,” Issa noted. “If misinformation spreads on WhatsApp, then verification must live there too.”
With over 500 million daily users across Africa, WhatsApp provides a familiar and accessible environment for users to verify claims without requiring advanced technical skills or expensive data plans.
BBYDI revealed that MyAIFactChecker underwent multiple testing phases before its public launch. Internal testing began in September 2025 with multilingual queries in English, Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo, achieving an initial accuracy rate of 85 percent.
Subsequent community testing in Ilorin improved accuracy to 90 percent, with response times averaging four to six seconds. During pilot deployments in the 2025 Anambra gubernatorial election and the Cameroon election, the chatbot demonstrated strong performance amid heightened misinformation activity.
The tool also includes voice-to-text functionality, allowing users to verify claims without typing—an innovation particularly beneficial for users with low literacy levels and persons with disabilities.
BBYDI emphasized that the chatbot was developed with women, young people, and marginalized communities in mind, noting the rise of gender-based disinformation targeting women in politics and civic spaces.
During community engagements in Anambra State, the organization reported a significant increase in participants’ confidence in identifying misinformation—from 14 percent before training to 72 percent afterward. More than three-quarters of participants said they would now verify information before sharing it.
BBYDI expressed plans to scale MyAIFactChecker across Nigeria and other African countries, positioning the initiative as part of a broader effort to strengthen democratic resilience through civic technology.
The organization acknowledged the support of CIVICUS and the Digital Democracy Initiative, as well as community members, volunteers, and staff who contributed to the project’s success.
“Misinformation is a global problem, but Africa can lead in building solutions,” Issa said. “The truth does not defend itself. It needs tools, and it needs people willing to use them.”
Citizens can access the MyAIFactChecker chatbot by saving the WhatsApp number +1 (843) 438-1502 and submitting text or voice queries for verification.
The Organization implored journalists, civil society organizations, schools, community leaders, and development partners to collaborate in expanding access to the tool and promoting a culture of responsible information sharing.