Wikimania 2025, the annual conference for contributors to Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects, was held in Nairobi from 6–9 August. The event marked the 20th edition of the gathering and the first time it was hosted in East Africa. It drew more than 2,300 participants, with 776 attending in person and over 1,600 joining online.
Nearly 300,000 volunteers contribute to Wikimedia projects, which receive more than 22 billion views each month. Wikipedia is edited in over 300 languages by nearly 260,000 volunteers every month. Contributors follow editorial guidelines aimed at ensuring neutrality and reliability, with content decisions reached through open discussion and consensus.
This year’s conference, hosted by Wikimedians from East Africa and the Wikimedia Foundation, carried the theme “Wikimania@20: Inclusivity. Impact. Sustainability.” Discussions addressed the long-term sustainability of Wikimedia projects and the communities that maintain them.
Participation and Topics
Attendees ranged from new contributors to long-serving volunteers, with 48% under the age of 34. Sessions covered governance strategies, technological developments, and community projects supporting Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Wikidata, and other Wikimedia initiatives.
Key sessions included:
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Recognition of eight new “Wikimedian of the Year” award recipients for contributions to Wikimedia projects.
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A keynote panel on Artificial Intelligence with African technology experts Dr. Joyce Nakatumba-Nabende and Prof. Vukosi Marivate, discussing the implications of emerging technologies for open knowledge communities.
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Presentations on language preservation, collaborations with the United Nations to increase accessibility, and partnerships with libraries.
Future Plans
Wikimania 2026 will be held in Paris, France, in a hybrid format, coinciding with Wikipedia’s 25th anniversary.
