Dear [FNAME],
The 7th edition of WikiChallenge African Schools has officially concluded. The initiative invites students aged 8 to 13 to become contributors to Vikidia, Wikipedia’s encyclopedia for children. By sharing stories and media about their communities, culture, and environment, these young authors, photographers and digital activists are not only enhancing their digital literacy, they are enriching the global knowledge landscape with the authentic perspectives of young Africans.
Since 2017, this unique competition has been nurturing young minds across Africa—and what a journey it has been! Our efforts have not gone unnoticed: WikiChallenge African Schools received the Open Pedagogy Award from Open Education Global in 2024. This prestigious honour celebrates innovative teaching practices that enhance learning accessibility and promote equity. The award affirms the remarkable and far-reaching impact of the programme, which has empowered students across 12 African countries to contribute 600+ articles and more than 3,000 photos, drawings, and videos to Vikidia and Wikimedia Commons since its inception.
The young contributors to WikiChallenge African Schools have enriched the internet with authentic stories about their communities, fostering a sense of pride in their local cultures. This accolade underscores the transformative power of open knowledge and the dedication of all participants involved.
| | Ahead of the Announcement of the 7th Edition Winners: A Look at the Highlights | | | This year’s competition welcomed a wave of new voices and local stories, made possible once again by our collaboration with the Orange Foundation's Digital Schools Network as well as with several Wikimedia Affiliates. Thanks to WikiFundi—an offline editing platform that mimics the Wikipedia environment—students even in areas without internet access were able to participate fully, editing and writing offline before sharing their work.
The theme for the 7th Edition remained open, encouraging students to explore topics close to their hearts—be it their village, a local landmark, a notable individual, or unique cultural practices. This freedom fosters creativity and allows students to take pride in sharing their heritage with a global audience. | | STATS FROM THE 2024—2025 EDITION: | Total Schools Registered | Articles Created | Photos Uploaded | Videos Shared | 422 | 174 | 696 | 40 |
| | Students at the WikiChallenge African schools prize giving ceremony (2024). Image by Anthere and NJosyN, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons | Country-by-Country Contributions | Botswana | 7 schools | 6 articles | 3 photos | | Burkina Faso | 11 schools | 6 articles | 56 photos | 1 video | Cameroon | 32 schools | 27 articles | 85 photos | | Ivory Coast | 9 schools | 9 articles | 36 photos | 2 videos | DR Congo | 34 schools | 3 articles | | | Guinea | 22 schools | 12 articles | 55 photos | 2 videos | Liberia | 5 schools | 2 articles | 23 photos | | Madagascar | 85 schools | 22 articles | 3 photos | | Mali | 28 schools | 28 articles | 61 photos | 4 videos | Morocco | 17 schools | 17 articles | 141 photos | 2 videos | Senegal | 20 schools | 27 articles | 127 photos | 26 videos | Sierra Leone | 15 schools | 7 articles | 51 photos | | Tunisia | 137 schools | 8 articles | 55 photos | 3 videos |
| | Beyond the Competition: Lasting Impacts | The WikiChallenge African Schools is more than just a contest. It serves as a catalyst for educational engagement, promoting active learning and critical thinking. Students gain valuable digital skills, learn the importance of collaboration, and become adept at information searching and knowledge sharing. Moreover, by contributing to Vikidia and Wikimedia Commons, they play a pivotal role in increasing the online representation of Africa’s culture, history, and knowledge.Teachers and facilitators benefit too, receiving training to support students in digital content creation and collaborative projects.
This holistic approach ensures that the skills and pride these students build extend beyond the competition and the classroom—it fosters a culture of continuous learning and empowerment within communities.
What’s Next?
As we await the results from the international jury, we invite you to celebrate the remarkable creativity and dedication these students have shown. Visit the competition homepage or follow us on Facebook for updates and resources.Together, let's amplify the voices of young Africans, enriching the world with their perspectives and stories.
| Credits
WikiChallenge African Schools is made possible by the collaboration of multiple partners working at different levels to organise and activate the project. The main partners, Wiki In Africa and Fondation Orange conceptualised and have run the programme since 2017, with the support of several local Orange Foundation and Wikimedia Affiliates. | | In other news from Wiki In Africa... |
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