2025 Community Survey

In the 2nd quarter of 2025, we decided not to assume we knew how Wikimedians viewed us, so we sent a bilingual survey to our community. We wanted to know: What is working well? Where are we falling short? What should we prioritise in the next five years? The answers we received are already helping us to shape a roadmap that reflects community needs and continues to make African knowledge visible, relevant, and accessible.

Strategy cannot be written behind closed doors. For Wiki In Africa, strategy is shaped by dialogue and accountability. Our projects from Wiki Loves Africa and Wiki Loves Women, to WikiAfrica Hour and the WikiChallenge African Schools are community-driven at their core. 

Executive Summary

The 2025 survey responses show that Wiki In Africa (WIA) is widely perceived as a continental catalyst within the African Wikimedian ecosystem. Respondents consistently describe WIA as:

• A gateway into Wikimedia participation for individuals and emerging communities

• A capacity builder, particularly through hands-on campaigns like Wiki Loves Africa, Wiki Loves Women, and SheSaid

• A connector and amplifier of African voices, cultures, and narratives at both continental and global levels

• A trusted convenor and mentor, especially for gender equity, leadership development, and community sustainability

The most valued impacts include skills development, confidence building, gender gap reduction, cultural preservation, volunteer recruitment, and community activation. Respondents also point to WIA’s distinctive strengths: its pan-African scope, strong visual and communication identity, partnership-building capacity, and thematic focus on Africa.

Looking forward, communities want WIA to deepen its role as a hub for mentorship, leadership pipelines, advocacy, and partnerships, while expanding into areas such as education, African languages, audio-visual knowledge, AI literacy, well-being of long-term contributors, and policy literacy. Demand for co-organisation of future initiatives is extremely high, signalling trust, alignment, and readiness for deeper collaboration.

Analysing the Responses

Respondents were asked what aspects of Wiki In Africa's activities they valued the most. We gained the following insights:

• 78% of respondents reported valuing the training and capacity building we integrate into every aspect of our programmes. 

• This was closely followed by 72% of respondents who valued how our programmes supported the activation and building of their community. Indeed, a further 17.4% of respondents claimed that Wiki In Africa's activities were pivotal in kickstarting their own Wikimedia Group. 

• 61% of respondents were gratified by the opportunities offered through the content production aspects of our programmes. 

• 48% were grateful for the support we provided when they work activating their own projects. 

• 41% benefited from the individual mentorship they received from the team

• 41% had gained visibility for their own work or amplified their projects through our programmes, including WikiAfrica Hour, social media campaigns, and training sessions.

• 33% of respondents valued us as partners in collaborative projects.

• At around 44%, 41%and 39%, respectively, were the more intangible benefits of our programmes: advocating for African voices within the Wikimedia movement and representing African voices both on the continent and beyond. Separate values were given for representation within the continent (39%) and beyond the continent (43%). 

• 39% valued the representation of African voices generally within the African continent, beyond the Wikimedia movement.

• 37% found Wiki In Africa's support regarding funding opportunities and resources important to their work.

• From the aspect of direct interventions, 22% were grateful for the Wiki In Africa facilitated introductions to the in-kind support of non-Wikimedian partners, such as the Goethe Institut and Fondation Orange. 

• 11% of respondents had benefited from our Fiscal Sponsorship programme.

• Last but not least, Wiki In Africa was valued by 7% of respondents for asking hard questions of the global and continental community to spark debate.

Key Themes and Supporting Evidence

Theme 1: Capacity Building and Skills Development as Core Impact

Across responses, WIA programs are described as transformational learning spaces that equip participants with practical skills (editing, Commons uploads, project management, leadership, facilitation) and confidence. 

Respondents said:

“It helps us to improve our capacities and empower our community in our Wikimedia Journey since 2013.”

“Gained more knowledge and confidence to contribute to Wikimedia projects.”

“The trainings helped especially when I joined the movement as a newbie and had to navigate the Wikimedia space with little knowledge.”

"The community has learnt a lot, particularly for me, it was the leadership part where I had to help other new editors."

"I have learned a lot of experiences through those programs and shared my experiences with my community. During Wiki Loves Africa, I learned how to upload pictures to Wikimedia Commons. Through Wiki Loves Women, I have learned how to edit Wikipedia articles of notable women and close the gaps of red-link-women on Wikipedia, notable women that ain't recognized. It also helped us to have an edit-a-thon program in our community, edited about Women in Red in Africa, and this contributed more edits."

"The program WLA2025 for the first time, the Niger Delta region got a grant from the WIA [from WMF through the New Grant Pathway] to be part of the campaign, and from all indications, we are happy for the opportunity so far, and the program was impactful. The Niger Delta participants appreciate it wholeheartedly."

“Excellent. J'ai profité non seulement pour avoir connaissance mais aussi des compétences de qualité.”
Translation: “Excellent. I benefited not only by gaining knowledge but also high-quality skills.”

Beyond personal skills development, Wiki In Africa activities have also helped to broaden the scope of activity for many by introducing them to the global Wikimedia movement. 

Respondents said:

"Introduction to the Wikimedia family that we never knew existed."

"You didn't include your African-scale initiatives (campaigns, topics, wide collaborative projects) properly. I think you should strongly stress also the international participation (diaspora, other communities...). This is a very relevant element that distinguishes your work from the more local work of other African-based affiliates."

This emphasis on learning recurs across Wiki Loves Africa, Wiki Loves Women, SheSaid, WikiAfrica Hour, and training initiatives, positioning WIA as a capacity backbone for African Wikimedians.

Theme 2: Community Activation, Growth, and Sustainability

Many respondents describe WIA as instrumental in activating dormant communities, growing participation, and sustaining momentum over time.

Respondents said:

"It's raised a critical mass of volunteer editors who are not only fixated on English Wikipedia."

“Yes, it led to volunteer recruitment.”

“Wiki Loves Africa is one of the major activities run by the Benin community for years now. This program helps the community meet and do activities together.”

“Wiki Loves Africa and Wiki Loves Women helped to activate the Wikimedia User Group Nigeria and birth other Wikimedia Affiliates in Nigeria.”

"Our Community approach to new users from photographers was possible thanks to the Wiki Loves Africa contest."

Communities repeatedly cite WIA campaigns as entry points that later evolve into broader organising capacity, leadership development, and affiliate formation.

Theme 3: Gender Equity and Women’s Visibility as a Signature Contribution

Wiki Loves Women and SheSaid emerge as emotionally resonant and strategically impactful initiatives that address systemic gender gaps while fostering solidarity and leadership among women.

Respondents said:

“It shows that contrary to the negative perception of WOMEN AGAINST WOMEN, that indeed, women can converge, organise/plan and implement projects successfully and are still looking out for each other.”

“Gender gap in representation of notable women… It has also made women more visible.”

"Our experience with SheSaid helped us explore the Wiki Quote as a project. We developed our Wiki Gap list based on the Wiki Love Women training."

“The Wiki Loves Women's SheSaid has empowered women to contribute to Wikimedia projects, resulting in over 10,000 new or improved articles across 18 language Wikiquotes.”

“My Wiki Journey began with support from WIA through the WLW Focus group, with all the mentoring.”

These initiatives are frequently described as life-changing, confidence-building, and community-defining, not just content-producing.

Theme 4: Cultural Preservation and African Narratives

Respondents consistently link WIA’s work to documenting, preserving, and sharing African culture, heritage, and lived realities, especially through visual and audio-visual content.

Respondents said:

“Preserving Culture by saving photos in commons. The younger generation will get to learn a lot.”

“As the imaging community back in days, we were so lacking medias… through Wiki Loves Africa we managed to collect a lot of images and videos for our articles.”

“Wiki Loves Africa. Documenting beautiful images of African History.”

"I think projects and programmes in Africa are relevant for the entire world. I strongly believe that producing content related to Africa and engaging more contributors in Africa or those interested in Africa benefits everyone."

"Wiki Loves Africa is one program I so much love, and I passionately involve myself in. I can say that Wiki Loves Africa is a wonderful and nice initiative that showcases the rich African heritage and cultural values in Africa – that alone made me love the initiative.

"Participating and learning new things about the community we live in, and documenting the culture."

“La représentation de l'Afrique” Translation: “The representation of Africa.”

This theme positions WIA as a counter-narrative engine, actively reshaping how Africa is represented within global knowledge systems.

Theme 5: Advocacy, Visibility, and Amplification of African Voices

WIA is widely valued for making African Wikimedians, projects, and conversations visible inside and beyond the continent, especially through WikiAfrica Hour and conference participation.

Respondents said:

“Provided a platform to amplify our voice and share our story.”

“Wiki Africa Hour gives visibility to our actions, reach the African audience but also is an important learning opportunity.”

“Advocacy for African voices within the movement… Representation of Africa voices beyond the African continent.” (Q8)

“Pour la voix de l'Afrique”  Translation: “For the voice of Africa.”

Respondents increasingly see WIA as a continental advocate, not just a program implementer.

Theme 6: WIA as a Connector, Mentor, and Trusted Hub

Many respondents describe WIA as a safe landing space, especially for newcomers and emerging communities, offering mentorship, structure, and relational support.

Respondents said:

“These have been the first programs I got into the Wikimedia space with… basically finding my wiki-purpose.”

“It plays a key role in exposure, connecting and supporting communities… it gives that soft landing for anyone getting into the wiki space.”

“I consider Wiki In Africa to be a real catalyst for communities in Africa.”

This trust extends to the expectation that WIA will increasingly act as a mentor hub, fiscal sponsor, advisor, and even a governance support body.

Theme 7: Distinctive Identity and Quality of Communication

Several respondents highlight WIA’s visual identity, storytelling style, and communication quality as unique within the Wikimedia movement.

Respondent said:

“I really like the style you use for your communication: slogans, images, drawings. The visual identity is beautiful and unique in the movement.”

This is explicitly framed as a strategic differentiator that WIA should continue to value and leverage.

Theme 8: Strong Demand for Co-Creation and Future Collaboration

Across Q13, there is overwhelming interest in co-organising future initiatives, especially around training, leadership, women’s visibility, Commons, local culture, and newcomer onboarding.

Respondents said:

“Yes, absolutely!”
“Definitely yes.”
“We are always ready and available.”

“Bien sûr. Nous gardons une belle expérience de notre collaboration…” Translation: “Of course. We keep a wonderful experience from our collaboration…”

This signals not just satisfaction, but readiness for deeper partnership and shared ownership.

Theme 9: Forward-Looking Needs and Gaps

While feedback is overwhelmingly positive, respondents also articulate future needs:

• Leadership pipelines and mentorship

• Support for African languages and Wikisource

• Technical skills (AI, tools, offline editing, Commons admin)

• Well-being and burnout prevention

• Policy literacy and administrative support

• Stronger inclusion of Francophone and under-resourced communities

• “Continuer à encourager les jeunes Wikimédiens à travailler encore davantage pour porter la voix de l'Afrique.” Translation: “Continue to encourage young Wikimedians to work even more to carry the voice of Africa.”

Concluding Insights

Taken together, the responses position Wiki In Africa not merely as a programmatic organisation, but as a continental steward of African knowledge equity—one that communities trust, identify with, and want to grow alongside. 

The strongest signal from the data is clear: 

Wiki In Africa's future impact lies in deepening what already makes it distinct—Africa-wide thinking, human-centred capacity building, and the amplification of African voices—while scaling mentorship, leadership, and partnership structures for the next generation of African Wikimedians.