Editorial Policy

These are the publishing standards for Afritech Connect’s news, analysis, reviews, comparisons, buying guides and tutorials. Our purpose is to help readers understand technology and make informed decisions, with particular attention to African markets.

Editorial independence and integrity

The named author is responsible for the accuracy, sources and conclusions in their article. Contributors must disclose relevant commercial or personal interests. Advertising, affiliate commissions, free access and review samples must not determine an editorial verdict or ranking. We do not offer positive reviews or removal of justified criticism in exchange for payment.

Content categories and sourcing standards

Readers should be able to distinguish the following forms of coverage near the start of an article:

• Hands-on review: the author or a named contributor has used the product. Identify the model, how it was obtained, testing dates or duration, software version where relevant and the important limitations of the test.
• First impressions: limited access or a short demonstration. State the limits and avoid presenting early impressions as a long-term assessment.
• Research-based assessment: analysis of documentation, attributable independent tests and market research. State clearly when we have not tested the product ourselves.
• Preview or rumour coverage: an untested or unconfirmed product. Label uncertainty in the headline and article; do not present predicted features or prices as confirmed facts.

Original evidence and benchmark practices

Testing claims must describe work we actually performed. Include original photographs, screenshots, measurements or other useful evidence where appropriate, with captions explaining what they show. Describe the test conditions and equipment behind numerical results. Distinguish measured results, personal observations and manufacturer ratings.

For phones and laptops, relevant details can include the exact configuration, operating system, workloads, battery settings and network. For chargers and power banks, identify connected devices, cables, load and measurement method. For wearables, explain the activity and reference equipment used. Tests should be appropriate to the product; we do not imply laboratory, medical or safety certification that we have not performed.

Another publication’s test remains that publication’s work. Name and link the source next to the finding. Never change “the reviewer found” into “we found.” Credit supplied images and distinguish them from our own photography; permission or an appropriate licence is still required.

Comparisons and buying guides

Explain who the advice is for, the selection criteria, relevant alternatives and why a recommendation fits that use case. Identify which products were tested directly and which were researched. Compare equivalent configurations and avoid treating different reviewers’ benchmarks as a controlled head-to-head test.

Market research should identify the country, currency, retailer or source, date checked, exact variant and whether a product is new, used or refurbished. Distinguish a listed price from confirmed stock and an estimated import cost from an official local price. Consider warranty, returns, repair support, delivery and compatibility when they affect the recommendation. A “best” label needs a stated scope and evidence, not just a specification table.

BNPL and phone-financing content guidelines

Afritech Connect is a media publication, not a bank, lender or credit broker. Financing coverage is for education and comparison, not personalised financial advice.

Financing guides must identify the market, provider, source and date checked. Explain eligibility, deposit, repayment schedule and term, interest rates (including the annual percentage rate, or APR, where disclosed), service charges, other fees and total repayment cost where available. Label calculations and assumptions, compare with the cash price where possible, and describe material risks such as late fees, credit reporting and device restrictions where the provider’s terms apply. Do not imply guaranteed approval or describe a plan as free solely because it advertises zero interest.

Use current provider terms and relevant official sources. Clearly identify missing or unverified details rather than estimating them as facts. Include a visible educational-information disclaimer in financing articles and link to our Disclaimer. Recommendations must not imply individual suitability or professional financial advice. Disclose any affiliate or sponsorship relationship with a provider near the relevant recommendation.

How-to guides

Identify the device, app or software version used when demonstrating a procedure. Include the starting requirements, steps, expected outcome and useful troubleshooting. If instructions are based on documentation rather than our own walkthrough, say so and link the documentation. Disclose costs and material risks such as data loss before the relevant step. Examples must be labelled; do not invent successful results.

News, analysis and sourcing

Use primary sources where available, including official documentation, filings, research and direct statements. Attribute other publications’ reporting. Distinguish confirmed facts from claims, estimates, rumours and our interpretation. Analysis should explain what the evidence means and its limitations rather than merely rephrase a source. Seek a response where a story makes a material allegation and describe any response accurately.

AI and automated tools

AI assistance does not replace author responsibility. Tools may assist with research outlines, data parsing and drafting, but must never be treated as an unverified author. A human author or editor must check assisted text, calculations, translations and technical specifications against reliable evidence, including official documentation where available, before publication. Do not invent quotes, sources, biographies, product use or test results. Disclose substantial AI involvement when it would help readers understand how the work was produced, and explicitly label AI-generated and other synthetic graphics as illustrations so they cannot be mistaken for documentary or testing evidence.

Review samples, affiliate links and sponsorship

Disclose a loaned or gifted product, paid travel, free subscription or other material relationship in the relevant article, including whether a review sample must be returned. Brands may clarify factual information but must not control our conclusions.

Where a purchase link can earn us a commission, place a clear disclosure before or alongside the relevant links. Paid articles must carry a visible “Sponsored” or “Advertisement” label at the top of the page and identify the sponsor. Sponsored content must meet our accuracy and sourcing standards. Payment must not be disguised as independent reporting. See our Disclaimer and advertising information.

Updates, corrections and reader contributions

Keep original publication dates and use updated dates for substantive changes. Add an explicit update note explaining material corrections and changed verdicts in the article. Updating a date alone is not new reporting. Follow our Corrections Policy.

Reader comments are readers’ contributions, not verified reporting or endorsements. We may remove spam, harassment, unlawful material and other comments that breach our Terms of Service. Report a concern to contact@afritechconnect.com, with the article URL and supporting details.