Editorial Standards

AfriFacto aims to make African data easier to discover, compare and understand. These standards explain the principles that should guide the presentation of statistics and research on this platform.

Source attribution

Statistics should be accompanied by source information wherever available. Source names, indicator codes, links and observation-level metadata help readers identify where a figure originated and investigate it further. AfriFacto should not present a source’s data as if it were originally collected by AfriFacto.

Definitions and methodology

Indicators can differ in definition, unit, coverage and calculation method. Readers should review the indicator definition, unit, reference year and source before comparing figures. Where methodological details are not available, that gap should not be concealed or replaced with an unsupported explanation.

Verification and data status

AfriFacto’s data engine distinguishes observations by status. The data explorer is designed to display verified observations, but this status should not be interpreted as a guarantee that a source is error-free or that every country’s data is complete, current or directly comparable. Readers should consult the cited source for authoritative context.

Coverage, currency and limitations

Data availability can vary by country, indicator and year. Some figures may be missing, revised by the original publisher or based on estimates. The latest year shown for one indicator may differ from the latest year shown for another. AfriFacto should make these limitations visible and avoid implying complete coverage where it does not exist.

Corrections and feedback

If you identify a possible error, outdated figure, broken source link or unclear definition, contact AfriFacto with the country, indicator, reference year, affected value and supporting source or evidence. Reports can be submitted through the Contact page. Submissions can be reviewed against the available source material; sending a report does not guarantee that a change will be made.

Responsible interpretation

Statistics require context. Differences between countries or years do not, by themselves, establish why a change occurred. Users should distinguish observed values from estimates, avoid drawing causal conclusions from descriptive figures alone and cite the underlying source when reusing data.

Transparency and ongoing improvement

AfriFacto’s indicator catalogue and Data Sources & Methodology page provide further information about available measures and sources. These standards describe the principles the platform aims to follow; they should not be read as a claim that a formal independent audit or a fixed review schedule is in place.