Recap: How Was WordCamp Nairobi 2025?

If you thought WordPress was just about staying behind the computer and sinking into plugins and themes, WordCamp Nairobi 2025 proved that WordPress extends to connections, creativity, and collaborations around a community. For two unforgettable days, the auditorium at Daystar University, Nairobi Campus, became a hub of innovation, knowledge-sharing, laughter, and the start of connections and new friendships. 

This year’s theme, “Digital Safari: Explore, Build, and Share the Power of WordPress in Africa,” couldn’t have been more fitting. It captured exactly what unfolded, an inspiring mix of exploration, learning, and community spirit that defines Kenya’s growing WordPress ecosystem.

View DAY 1 and DAY 2 photos

A Bigger, Bolder Camp

This year marked the 9th edition of WordCamp Nairobi, solidifying its place in East Africa and across the continent. 

The attendance was strong. We had 146 ticket holders, and 43 walk-ins on the first day, and 88 ticket holders and 61 walk-ins on the second day. 

This was not just a local gathering, but we had attendees from Cameroon, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Germany, Malaysia, and the U.S.

Swag really hit the mark this time. Crisp all white polo shirts with the knitted WordCamp Nairobi logo looked amazing on everyone. We had WordCamp Nairobi stickers, a small gift bag, and a branded pen. That’s a lot to miss, right? Sponsors like Jetpack, d.light (Silver sponsor), DTS‑NET (Bronze sponsor), and were present alongside others. They brought their swag, which lit up the hallways leading to the auditorium. 

Other global sponsors were: Hosting.com, WordPress.com, Bluehost, Woo, and Kinsta

Community sponsors included: Hostjaer.com, Web Pro Geeks, WPCorner, and Adapa Digital

Microsposnors included: Michiel van Harten, Kadestech, Nyasha Green, and Collins Meroka

Foods and drinks were everyone’s favorite! Breakfast and lunch were provided on both days, with varieties and new foods on different days, alongside healthy juice and fruit options. 

The sun came out on both days, and it did not rain at all!

Day 1: Beginners’ Day

Day one presentations were beginner-friendly and focused on ensuring everyone related to the WordPress core, from content to plugins and themes. 

The speakers focused on beginner-friendly topics such as blogging on WordPress, site security, and dealing with hacked sites, embracing women in WordPress and tech, among other interesting topics. We also had a lively discussion n seamless payment systems in Africa, and integrating them into our WordPress ecosystem. 

You can find the speakers’ slides for Day 1 here: Day 1 Sessions.

Day 2: Contributors’ Day

The second day tracks focused on open-source contribution, translations, and helping others get started with contributing to WordPress as an open-source project. New contributors were eager to get their feet wet while the experienced devs pushed deeper. 

AI is also still a new kid on the block that everyone was embracing, and so did we. Our talks reflected on how AI can be used to speed up WordPress to speed development, make posts, among other features. However, it still has its cons, and one speaker, Ayobami Iroko, mentions that, and how AI fails community publishers. 

Find Ayobami Iroko’s talk slides and other speakers for Day 2 here: Day 2 Sessions.

The Panel on Mentorship

The panel discussion was intense for sure. Everyone among the six panelists was engaging and knowledgeable on diversity and inclusion in tech. The audience did ask many questions on the topic, with vast suggestions on how to include not only more women in technology, but also minority groups such as the disabled, refugees, among other groups within the community. 

Panel Session on Diversity and Inclusivity on DAY 2

My Experience as an Organizer

This was the second time I was on the organizing committee for WordCamp Nairobi, and I couldn’t have been any happier. The team lead, Norman Mithika, led a strong team of organizers who were able to plan for the event and host WordPress enthusiasts in Nairobi. I enjoyed working with the volunteers this year, as well as any service providers involved at the event. 

When the Room Feels Bigger Than the Crowd

The main auditorium was massive, a space built to hold over 500 people. Our 160+ attendees seemed fewer, and it sometimes felt deceptively quiet inside. But that illusion faded fast once we stepped outside for coffee breaks or lunch. The energy came alive, the real scale of attendance showed, with conversations everywhere, people connecting, ideas flowing. That’s when it truly hit us: the community showed up.

Achieving Our Theme: The Digital Safari

Over ten countries were present at the event, with speakers and attendees from different continents such as Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Global sponsors such as Jetpack were equally present, amongst local and community sponsors. 

Together, we shared inspiring keynotes, interactive workshops, engaging panels, and valuable networking opportunities, giving attendees actionable insights, lasting connections, and a chance to contribute to the growth of WordPress in Africa.

More Voices from WordCamp Nairobi 2025

We weren’t the only ones inspired by this year’s event. Here are a few reflections and write-ups from community members, speakers, and attendees who shared their own WordCamp Nairobi 2025 stories.

Conclusion: Looking Ahead

WordCamp Nairobi 2025 was a success. The community was lively, the food was amazing, and the sessions were knowledge-packed. I am grateful to have attended the event as an attendee and organizer. 

A special thank you to everyone who attended WordCamp Nairobi 2025!

We did better than last year, and we are sure the next one will be even better! See you at WordCamp Nairobi 2026!


Comments

2 responses to “Recap: How Was WordCamp Nairobi 2025?”

  1. My experience with wordcamp Nairobi 2025.

    Wordcamp Nairobi has been an amazing experience for me not just being my first time attending wordcamp across the border but lots more combined right from the travel experience, boarding the bus from Lira through Kampala for another bus (Simba coach) which then led me and my friend Haron to the green city fafter about 15 hours later.

    On landing in the swahili land, the boda guy was able to lead us straight to Daystar University gate, on entrance, we were welcomed with smiles by a security officer who directed us to the reception and that’s where we met our first wordcamp Nairobi friend Austin who was able to sort us out fast and led us to the dinning before joining the hall for the next session. Indeed lunch was great and everyone I met there were great and lovely too.

    Joining the hall, the sessions were packed with experts selected carefully with different knowledges and experience.

    Day one went but before that, wow, Norman, the lead organizer, thank you so much for all you did to support us, it wasn’t easy to sucrifice your time besides all the roles you had on you, you made sure we were safer in our appartment(Kanaruma homes).

    Day 2(contributor day) came and we joined in. Perfect, wow, the hackthon, polygots, hidden killer, pannel discussion, mention it, everything was amazing.

    Thank you Nairobi and credit to the entire team, Norman, Patrick, Boniface, and the rest.

    1. Thank you for your kind words, and for attending Oscar. Welcome to Kenya again!

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