The 20th edition of Wikimania, the flagship annual conference that honours Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects, is set to take place this week in Nairobi, Kenya, and online from August 6–9.
The event, hosted by the Wikimedians of Kenya User Group, the East African Regional and Thematic Hub (EARTHub), and the Wikimedia Foundation, brings together over 1,000 participants from more than 120 countries.
This year’s theme, “Wikimania@20: Inclusivity. Impact. Sustainability.”, emphasises the importance of building a sustainable future for Wikimedia projects and the volunteers who power them. The conference will highlight the immense impact of nearly 300,000 volunteers whose collective effort ensures that reliable, factual information remains freely accessible to billions globally.
The hybrid event features a wide range of sessions, including workshops, edit-a-thons, policy discussions, and cultural experiences, all of which are accessible both in-person and virtually. With real-time translation in Arabic, French, English, Spanish, and Swahili, Wikimania 2025 aims to be as inclusive and participatory as possible.
Keynote speakers and events
Among the headline speakers are Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, Wikimedia Foundation CEO Maryana Iskander, Dr. Joyce Nakatumba-Nabende, head of Makerere University’s Artificial Intelligence Lab, and Professor Vukosi Marivate from the University of Pretoria.
Together, they will explore how open knowledge communities can ethically engage with emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, while upholding Wikimedia’s core values.
One of the most anticipated moments of the event is the Wikimedian of the Year Awards, presented by Jimmy Wales, which honour exceptional contributors to Wikimedia projects from around the globe.
A focus on Africa and the future
“This conference is a celebration of the people, from every corner of the world, who contribute their time, passion, and skills to share knowledge,” said Maryana Iskander. “Hosting Wikimania again on the African continent for its special 20th anniversary is an acknowledgement of this region’s critical role in shaping the future of Wikimedia. As the next billion people come online, expanding Africa’s voice in the global knowledge ecosystem is more important than ever.”
The conference also includes:
A Wikimania Hackathon for participants to collaborate on software and database projects.
Discussions on cultural preservation through partnerships with libraries and institutions like UNESCO.
Research sessions focused on protecting linguistic diversity and increasing access to cultural heritage.
Panels exploring Wikimedia’s approach to AI and how it can be used to strengthen, not replace, human knowledge-sharing.
With over 22 billion views each month, Wikimedia projects, including Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, and Wikidata, have become essential sources of information worldwide. Behind this success are hundreds of thousands of volunteers who collaborate openly to ensure content remains accurate, neutral, and freely available.
As Wikimania 2025 unfolds in Nairobi and online, it not only celebrates two decades of free knowledge but also looks ahead to a more inclusive, impactful, and sustainable future for all.