By Linet Amuli - Reporter
Kenya, January 16 2026 - As Wikipedia celebrates its 25th anniversary, Africa is emerging as a powerful contributor to the world’s largest online encyclopedia. From local language projects to dedicated volunteer editors, the continent is not just consuming knowledge. It is shaping it. Wikipedia’s growth in Africa highlights a broader shift: the next billion internet users will not only access global knowledge but help create it.
Founded in 2001, Wikipedia has grown into one of the ten most visited websites globally, with nearly 65 million articles in over 300 languages. At the heart of this global platform are volunteer editors, whose work ensures that knowledge remains accurate, neutral, and accessible. Among them is Goodness Ignatius from Nigeria, whose contributions span Wikipedia, Wikidata, and Wikimedia Commons. A librarian by profession and co-founder of the IG Wiki Librarians Hub, she exemplifies Africa’s rising digital authorship.
“The growth of African contributors shows that knowledge creation is no longer limited to the West,” says Bobby Shabangu, a Wikimedia Foundation trustee. “Africa will play a critical role in ensuring that Wikipedia and by extension the internet, reflects the richness of the continent and its people.”
This African influence comes at a pivotal moment. Wikipedia is increasingly relied upon by search engines, voice assistants, and AI systems, making the accuracy and diversity of content more critical than ever. Through initiatives like Abstract Wikipedia, which aims to make knowledge universally accessible in all languages, African editors are helping bridge global knowledge gaps.
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The Wikimedia Foundation’s 25th anniversary campaign also highlights these contributions through a new video docuseries showcasing volunteer editors worldwide and a “digital time capsule” exploring Wikipedia’s history. African stories, local languages, and community-driven projects are central to this celebration, reinforcing the continent’s role not just as a consumer, but a curator of knowledge.
“In the era of AI, the human touch in knowledge creation matters,” says Jimmy Wales, Wikipedia founder. “Africa’s growing role reminds us that the future of information belongs to those who contribute, not just those who consume.”
