Since 2017, the Orange Foundation has supported the WikiChallenge as part of its “Education+” program, which works to improve teaching and learning conditions in schools across Africa and the Middle East. The contest gives students aged 9 to 13 the chance to create educational content, writing encyclopedia-style articles about their local region, traditions, or environment. Winners are recognized in each country, and special prizes are awarded. Schools that perform well receive resources to improve their facilities. With its involvement in the 2025 edition, the Orange Foundation continues to promote digital inclusion.
The project fits into Education+, which supports initiatives that improve learning for young students by introducing innovative educational tools in under-resourced areas. Early access to digital tools is key to bridging the digital divide and preparing students for the jobs of the future.
In each participating school, collaborative writing helps students develop essential skills. They research and analyze information, work together with classmates, plan their articles, and create content that’s clear and often accompanied by photos or videos. More than a competition, by encouraging structured learning of writing work, the WikiChallenge is a hands-on introduction to digital education, teaching children how to become active and responsible contributors online. Using these tools also helps boost self-confidence.
The 2025 edition saw record participation: 422 schools took part, producing 174 illustrated articles with 696 photos and 40 videos. All content is now accessible on Vikidia, the collaborative encyclopedia.
WikiChallenge African Schools gives students a platform to share their culture with the world. By creating articles on Vikidia, they highlight local traditions, environments, and heritage, all while learning how to share knowledge online. Students choose their own topics, giving the contest a rich diversity of subjects. Examples from the 2025 edition include:
- Botswana - Motshelo: a women-led community savings system.
- Mali -Traditional dances in Banimonotié: celebrating dances passed down through generations.
- Morocco - Fnideq railway station: a colonial-era transport hub.
- Coup de coeur - Senegal - Communication drum: an ancestral instrument used to send messages.
We’re proud to support and contribute to a social and educational contest that transforms schools into hubs of digital knowledge-sharing. Student-led projects bring African heritage into the spotlight and make it accessible worldwide. Sharing their work helps them develop curiosity and pride in their culture while contributing to a larger, global conversation by sharing and promoting the richness of African culture.
Anyone can explore the students’ articles and see the richness of their projects. These works show culture, history, and local knowledge through the eyes of children aged 9 to 13, demonstrating how digital education can bridge the gap for communities affected by limited internet access.
Curious about the communication drum? Students from Ndiébel Public School in Kaolack highlighted this traditional instrument, showing how it was used for communication across villages. The project reveals its importance as more than just a musical instrument.
You can support these projects by reading and sharing the students’ articles, helping them reach audiences beyond their classrooms and home countries.
The WikiChallenge African Schools is about more than digital writing. It builds students’ confidence, teaches essential skills, and gives international visibility to African culture. Participation also strengthens critical thinking and helps children believe in their abilities.
In an increasingly digital world, more than 600,000 students across 1,700 schools now have access to the tools they need to learn online. The contest creates a network effect, connecting students, teachers, and communities around sharing knowledge and celebrating culture.
The Orange Foundation has made digital education in Africa a priority, helping students through financial support and more to take their first steps in the digital world, paving the way toward their careers of tomorrow.
