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FIRST News API vs openAFRICA

Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.

APIFIRST News APINEW—openAFRICANEW—
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d—%—%
Uptime · 30d—%—%
P50 · ms——
P95 · ms——
Authnonenone
CORSyesno
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverifiedUnverified
Free tierFree — limits not publishedFree — limits not published
Rate limitUnpublishedUnpublished
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

FIRST News API vs openAFRICA: common questions

Which is more reliable, FIRST News API or openAFRICA?

On our scheduled checks, openAFRICA leads on measured uptime — FIRST News API at —% versus openAFRICA at —% over 90 days. These are our own probe results, not provider claims; the uptime bars above show the day-by-day record for both.

Do FIRST News API and openAFRICA need an API key?

Neither needs a paid key — FIRST News API is callable with no signup, and openAFRICA is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.

Can I call FIRST News API and openAFRICA from the browser?

Only FIRST News API is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. openAFRICA needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.

Are FIRST News API and openAFRICA free for commercial use?

FIRST News API has unclear commercial terms, and openAFRICA has unclear commercial terms. We track service terms and the data license as separate fields — see the Commercial use and Data license rows above, and confirm both before shipping either in a paid product.