Wikimania 2025, the annual conference that celebrates Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects and the global community of volunteers (Wikimedians) who make it possible, concluded in Nairobi following four days of vibrant exchanges, groundbreaking discussions, and milestone celebrations.
Held from 6 – 9 August, Wikimania 2025 marked the 20th anniversary of the flagship event and the first time it was hosted in East Africa. It drew over 2,300 participants, with 776 joining in person and more than 1,600 joining online.
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.
Hosted by Wikimedians from across East Africa and the Wikimedia Foundation, the theme of this year’s Wikimania was “Wikimania@20: Inclusivity. Impact. Sustainability.”, which brought attention to the need to ensure a sustainable future for Wikimedia projects and the volunteers and efforts that make them possible.
Bringing Generations Together
The conference spotlighted East Africa’s growing role in contributing to open-source projects like Wikipedia that power knowledge on the internet.
Nearly half of the attendees (48%) were under 34 years old, underscoring the importance of intergenerational engagement and the participation of youth. They came together with long-time, experienced volunteers who collaborate to build together the sum of all human knowledge.
From community-led governance strategies, to technology innovations, participants showcased projects that are driving Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Wikidata, and other free knowledge Wikimedia projects forward.
Key Highlights of Wikimania 2025 Included:
- Wikipedia Founder Jimmy Wales recognized eight new Wikimedian of the Year award winners, exceptional volunteers who contribute to Wikimedia projects around the world.
- A keynote panel on Artificial Intelligence with renowned African technology experts and academics, including Dr. Joyce Nakatumba-Nabende and Prof. Vukosi Marivate, explored 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. (Watch a recording here starting at the 1:53 mark.)
- Sessions about efforts to preserve languages on Wikimedia projects, UN collaborations to make content more globally accessible, partnerships with libraries, and much more.
Leadership Reflections
“Wikimania is a celebration of 20 years of collaboration and the incredible contributions that have made our movement strong and successful,” said Maryana Iskander, CEO of the Wikimedia Foundation. “As we look ahead to Wikipedia’s 25th birthday, the question for all of us is what the next generation needs, and how we will build on the success of the past quarter century.”
Looking Ahead
As Wikimania 2025 concluded, anticipation began building for Wikimania 2026, which will take place in Paris, France, in a hybrid format. The next edition will coincide with Wikipedia’s 25th anniversary, marking another major milestone for the world’s largest free knowledge resource.
The full programme for Wikimania 2025 and session recordings are now available online.
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