AI tools unveiled for civic participation

FactCheckAfrica unveiled the Digital Democracy Suite, a set of AI-driven civic tools designed to enhance public accountability and democratic engagement in Nigeria. The initiative was introduced at Oroki Hub in a press conference attended by journalists, students, and civic actors, aiming to address weak civic participation and misinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections. The suite includes three key products: KedereAI, an AI platform that tracks over N2.8 trillion in federal allocations across 774 local government areas, indexing 35,000 government contracts and 18,000 infrastructure projects. Citizens can query local government finances and project completion in plain language, with the platform optimized for low-data mobile networks. GovQuest is a gamified civic education tool targeting young Nigerians, transforming governance concepts like vote-buying and budget transparency into interactive games. The Power Deck, a 24-card flashcard set, provides offline civic education for schools and grassroots workshops, linking governance knowledge to actionable community steps. Developed under FactCheckAfrica’s Digital Democracy Lab, the tools were piloted in Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo states with over 1,000 participants. Project Lead Lukman Adeoti emphasized the goal of shifting accountability from elite-driven processes to citizen-led participation, simplifying complex documents like the Electoral Act and Constitution for broader accessibility. The initiative addresses gaps in public understanding of governance, ensuring tools are usable on basic devices without internet reliance. Adeoti highlighted that platforms like KedereAI allow citizens to verify local government spending and project delivery, while GovQuest and The Power Deck foster engagement through interactive and accessible formats.