Ancir (African Network Of Centres For Investigative Reporting)

https://investigate.africa/
The African Network of Centres for Investigative Reporting (ANCIR) is a pan‑African consortium founded in 2014 that links leading investigative newsrooms to collaborate on cross‑border reporting and share specialist skills. The network coordinates data‑driven investigations into illicit financial flows, corruption, organized crime and digital disinformation, and equips member newsrooms with forensic research, security and legal support. Through its iLAB, ANCIR provides social‑network and entity analysis, open‑source intelligence, and round‑the‑clock investigative assistance, while its ID Africa service places in‑country researchers across more than a dozen nations to mine hard‑to‑access corporate and public records. ANCIR also operates AfriLeaks, a secure whistleblowing platform that connects vetted newsrooms with confidential sources. Notable collaborations include African reporting for the Panama Papers and projects such as Fatal Extraction and Evicted and Abandoned with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists; the latter two were honored by the Overseas Press Club of America. ANCIR partners with global investigative networks including OCCRP and ICIJ and is a member of the Global Investigative Journalism Network. Beyond editorial support, it offers tools, seed grants and editorial coordination that help small and large newsrooms produce public‑interest investigations that hold power to account. Its work has exposed shell companies, mapped coordinated influence networks, and made datasets accessible to citizens and watchdogs across the continent.

Source: Code for Africa

Last updated date: July 2026

Location:
Nairobi, Kenya
Year the organization started publishing:
2014
Languages:
English
French
Type of coverage:
International
Countries of coverage:
Ghana
Ivory Coast
Kenya
Senegal
South Africa

Content

Editorial coverage:
Generalist, focused on multiple topics
Type of content produced by theme:
Environment
Health and well-being
LGBTIQ+
Ethnic minorities
DEIA: Diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility
Refugees
Journalism genres:
Investigative journalism
Journalism coverage types and techniques:
Data journalism
Cross-border journalism
Collaborative journalism
Fact-checking
Tech platforms and other mediums used:
Newsletter
Social media platforms
Podcast
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn

Audience and reach

Social media audience

Twitter number of followers:
3,873

Management and team

Founders

Female:
0
Male:
1
Founders:
Justin Arenstein
Directors:
Justin Arenstein: Director Chris Roper: Deputy Director Athandiwe Saba: Managing Editor

Team

Full-time employees:
32
Part-time employees:
0
Freelancers or consultants:
0
Volunteers:
0

Business structure and revenue sources

Organization tax status:
Non-profit

Why is this profile included?

This media outlet is part of our directory because it meets SembraMedia’s inclusion criteria: it produces original content, serves the public interest, and works with independence and transparency. This profile was developed using information provided directly by the media outlet, through surveys or interviews. We aim to keep the information current, but SembraMedia does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness, and recommends verifying any key details with the media organization.

In SembraMedia we use own and third party cookies for analytical purposes that allow us to track, monitor and analyze your browsing and behavior to make improvements to the product based on the analysis made, as well as own technical cookies that allow the proper functioning of the website. You can accept all cookies by clicking the "Accept" button or configure or reject their use by clicking "Reject". More information in the Privacy and Cookies Policy.