The Wikimedia Foundation has stated that Africa’s contribution to the global knowledge ecosystem is critical, noting the continent’s critical role in growing and shaping its projects for the future.
In a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Tuesday to herald its annual conference scheduled to hold in Kenya and online from August 6 to 9, 2025, the foundation said Africa’s contribution to global knowledge is significant, both historically and presently, though it is often underrepresented in global scholarly outputs.
The Chief Executive Officer, Wikimedia Foundation, Maryana Iskander, said the conference, themed “Wikimania@20: Inclusivity. Impact. Sustainability.”, is aimed at bringing attention to the need to ensure a sustainable future for Wikimedia projects and the volunteers and efforts that make them possible.
“Wikimania is a window into our global Wikimedia community. This conference is a celebration of the people, from every corner of the world, who contribute their time, passion, and skills to share knowledge.
“Hosting Wikimania again on the African continent for its special 20th anniversary is an acknowledgement of this region’s critical role in growing and shaping the Wikimedia projects for the future. As the next one billion people come online, it is more important than ever to expand Africa’s contributions to the global knowledge ecosystem through the Wikimedia projects.” Iskander said.
The statement noted that Wikimania 2025 celebrates Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects and the global community of volunteers (Wikimedians) who make it possible, will take place in Kenya.
‘Hosted by the Wikimedians of Kenya User Group; the East African Regional and Thematic Hub (EARTHub); and the Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit that hosts Wikipedia and the Wikimedia projects, the event will bring together over 1,000 Wikimedians (in-person and online) and leaders in the digital space from more than 120 countries.
“Nearly 300,000 volunteers are behind creating the information on Wikimedia projects, which are viewed more than 22 billion times every month. Through a process of open collaboration, these volunteers help to power the backbone of knowledge on the internet with reliable information for all.
“Wikipedia alone is edited in over 300 languages by nearly 260,000 volunteers every month around the world. Together, they compile and share information on notable subjects, according to editorial policies and guidelines that ensure knowledge remains neutral, reliable, and fact-based.
‘Volunteers discuss, debate, and often disagree until a shared consensus can be reached on what content to include. This process is done entirely out in the open for all to see. The Wikimedia projects demonstrate how hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life can effectively reach consensus based on facts,” the statement read.
The statement further read that key speakers to grace the event will include Wikipedia Founder Jimmy Wales, Wikimedia Foundation CEO Maryana Iskander, Head of Makerere University Artificial Intelligence Lab Joyce Nakatumba-Nabende, and University of Pretoria Professor of Computer Science Vukosi Marivate.
“The event will also be available to watch live on virtual streaming platforms.
‘The event will feature workshops, edit-a-thons, policy discussions, keynotes, community meet-ups, and more. Some key program highlights include. The Wikimedian of the Year Awards, presented by Wikipedia Founder Jimmy Wales, recognize exceptional volunteers contributing to Wikimedia projects around the world.
“A keynote panel on Artificial Intelligence with renowned African technology experts and academics, including Joyce Nakatumba-Nabende and Prof. Vukosi Marivate, on how open knowledge communities—such as the global volunteers on Wikimedia projects and mission-aligned partners—may navigate a fast-changing technological landscape while staying true to their core values.
“Sessions that focus on technological advancements and how the Wikimedia Foundation and volunteer communities are engaging and defining their approach to AI to support humans in promoting access to free, reliable information,” the statement added.
According to the foundation, Wikimania’s hybrid format allows thousands of people around the globe to engage in real-time sessions, conversations, and cultural experiences, while also ensuring the participation of diverse people from various countries.
“The conference will be translated into multiple languages, including Arabic, French, English, Spanish, and Swahili,” the statement noted.
