When African Schools Take the Pen of the Future: The WikiChallenge 2025

This episode of WikiAfrica Hour celebrates the remarkable journey of WikiChallenge Écoles Afrique 2025 — a unique contest that empowers African schoolchildren to share stories from their communities on Vikidia, the encyclopedia for young people. Through this episode, we’ll explore how the initiative blends education, free knowledge, and creativity, while addressing key themes such as copyright and open access, partnerships that make it possible, and the challenges and opportunities ahead — including AI, distance learning, and multilingual expansion. Join us as we celebrate this year’s winners, highlight the partnerships that make WikiChallenge possible, and feature insights from local organisers across Africa in a special In Focus segment.

Live on Wednesday, October 29th at 16:00 UTC

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Quand les écoles africaines prennent la plume du futur : le WikiChallenge 2025

Cet épisode de WikiAfrica Hour met à l’honneur le parcours inspirant du WikiChallenge Écoles Afrique 2025 — un concours unique qui permet aux élèves africains de raconter les histoires de leurs communautés sur Vikidia, l’encyclopédie pour les jeunes. Nous aborderons comment cette initiative allie éducation, connaissance libre et créativité, tout en explorant des thèmes essentiels tels que le droit d’auteur et l’accès libre, les partenariats indispensables à sa réussite, ainsi que les défis et perspectives d’avenir — intelligence artificielle, apprentissage à distance et ouverture linguistique. Rejoignez-nous pour célébrer les lauréats de cette année, remercier chaleureusement les partenaires du projet, et découvrir les témoignages des organisateurs locaux à travers une section spéciale In Focus.

En direct le mercredi 29 octobre à 16h00 UTC

Our guests are:

• 'Florence Devourd', A Wikipedian since 2002, a former Chair of Wikimedia Foundation and a founding member of Wikimedia France. She is the Co-Executive Director of Wiki in Africa. Since 2013, Florence is the co-leader on projects related to Wikipedia and Africa, such as Wiki Loves Africa.

• 'Konan N'Da N'Dri', Member of Wikimedia Côte d'Ivoire, project manager, and Wikimedia trainer. He joined Wikimedia Côte d'Ivoire as a volunteer in 2023. He support the Wikichallenge African Schools project.

• 'Tchuileu Ngangom Alexandra', a Wikimedian within the Wikimedians of Cameroon User Group community. Responsible for several projects within the community, she has led local projects such as WikiCiné, WikiKwatt and international campaigns such as Wiki Loves Folklore and Wiki Loves Earth. Since 2023, Alexandra has been coordinating the activities of Wikichallenge Écoles d'Afrique in Cameroon, with deployment across all of the Orange Foundation's digital schools.

• 'Tafsir FALL', Educational Mediator for Senegal, in charge of deploying projects related to digital technology in collaboration with the Orange Foundation.

Hosting them

• 'Minette Lontsie', a creative entrepreneur, trained journalist and wikimedian from Cameroon with over 10 years of experience working in the fields of technology, cultural and creative industries and digital marketing. She started contributing to Wikimedia projects in 2016 and has been a member of the Wikimedians of Cameroon User group since 2017. She is passionate about filling the online content gap about Africa, with a strong interest in arts and culture, gender equality and IT.
  
  

  In Focus:

• This In Focus section highlights insights from local organisers of the WikiChallenge Écoles Afrique across the continent. They share their experiences, observed impacts, and reflections from coordinating this inspiring educational contest. Find it via this link.

Show Notes: