Event:WikiIndaba conference 2026/Hackathon

13th – 15th November 2026

2 0 2 6	Program	Attend	Logistics	Contact	Documentation	Satellite events
	Submissions Program Hackathon	Registration Information Scholarships Video submissions Participants List Friendly Space Policy	Travel Information & Visa Assistance Conference Platform Guide	WikiIndaba 2026 team	Video Recordings Resources Learnings Reporting FAQ	Events Microfunding Satellite Events Reports

The WikiIndaba Hackathon 2026 is a three-day hybrid technical event happening from November 13-15, 2026, as part of the WikiIndaba conference. It will bring together developers, contributors, and technical enthusiasts from across Africa to solve technical challenges, share ideas, and build tools that support African Wikimedia communities. The event will support English and French to ensure wider participation and collaboration.

Event Format

This hybrid hackathon will feature:

Multiple satellite hosting across Africa (locations TBA)
Virtual participation options for remote contributors
Coordinated sessions for both remote and in-person
Real-time collaboration tools and platforms
Support in English and French Language.

Key objectives

Helping African developers and contributors build, improve, and localize Wikimedia tools and content.
Building a strong, supportive community of African Wikimedia contributors who can continue to collaborate beyond the event.
Ensuring the event is accessible, exciting, and rewarding for all participants, regardless of their linguistic background.

Projects

Rather than building new tools from scratch, the WikiIndaba Hackathon 2026 will focus on supporting, improving, and localizing existing tools that matter most to African Wikimedia communities.

To identify these priorities, Wiki Mentor Africa (WMA), on behalf of the WikiIndaba Hackathon planning committee, is running a continent-wide Technical Needs Survey ahead of the hackathon. The survey is open to all African Wikimedians, editors, organizers, and technical contributors alike, and gathers input on the tools people currently use, the gaps they experience, and the manual tasks that could be improved through technology.

Take the survey: WikiIndaba Hackathon Technical Needs Survey (closes 30 September 2026)

The results of this survey will directly shape which project(s) the hackathon focuses on, ensuring the event addresses real, community-identified needs rather than assumptions about what African contributors want. A summary of the findings and the resulting project priorities will be published here once the survey closes.

Specific project(s) will be added to this section once finalized based on survey results.

Timeline

Pre-Event Milestones

Technical Needs Survey: September 8, 2026 -September 30, 2026
Project Focus Announcement (based on survey results): TBA
Registration Opening: September 11, 2026 - November 15, 2026
Internet scholarship application: October 10, 2026 - November 14, 2026
Satellite locations Announcement: TBA
Pre-hackathon Preparation Sessions: TBA

Event Schedule

Main hackathon event: November 11, 2026 - November 15, 2026
Post-event: Project showcase and follow-up

Internet Scholarship Application

The Internet scholarship application will open soon.
The scholarship application will open Soon Application open: October 10, 2026 Application close: November 14, 2026

As part of this year's WikiIndaba Hackathon 2026, we are offering internet reimbursement scholarships ranging from $20 to $50 for those who need support to join the hackathon online.

Eligibility Criteria:

Submit a complete application before the deadline.
Be registered and confirm your participation in the event.
Attend at least 80% of online sessions.
Contribute to the improvement or creation of the supported tools/project either via design, code contribution, or technical documentation in their assigned teams.
Agree to provide feedback after the event.

Note: Internet scholarships will be awarded after the event, and it will be based on those who meet these criteria.

Community & Code of Conduct

The WikiIndaba Hackathon 2026 is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for all participants, regardless of background, experience level, or location.

Code of Conduct

The Universal Code of Conduct, Code of Conduct for Wikimedia's Technical Spaces, and Friendly space policy will be actively enforced across all facets of the event, including various platforms, discussion channels, and satellite venues.

Organizing Team

This team coordinates all aspects of the WikiIndaba Hackathon 2026. They support project organizers, mentors, and participants, and ensure that technical contributors have a welcoming space to collaborate. They are also responsible for the hackathon page for WikiIndaba conference 2026.