The challenge
At the height of the pandemic, misinformation spread faster than confirmed guidance, and getting tested meant navigating an overloaded system. Most of the people who needed answers did not have a smartphone or a data plan — so an app, a website or a WhatsApp line would have missed them entirely.
The solution
Chekkit deployed a customised USSD shortcode, *347*03*03#, that worked on any phone on any network. Dialers could sign themselves or loved ones up for regular Covid-19 updates, request a test and take a pre-qualification questionnaire, give feedback on the government's response through a short survey, and test their knowledge of the pandemic in a quick game. Airtime rewards were paid to people who completed surveys or played the game.
What partners got
The African Union, Africa CDC, GIZ, CcHub and NCDC had a shared dashboard to monitor airtime distribution, review survey insights, see incoming test requests and contact applicants — and to schedule bulk SMS to everyone signed up for alerts.
The results
The line surpassed its campaign target in the first week: more than 50,000 code dials from over 15,000 unique people, 1,000+ sign-ups for ongoing alerts, and over ₦1.4 million worth of airtime distributed as rewards.
