{"id":2080,"date":"2025-11-12T08:42:54","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T05:42:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nairobi.wordcamp.org\/2025\/?p=2080"},"modified":"2025-11-12T21:04:52","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T18:04:52","slug":"how-was-wordcamp-nairobi-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nairobi.wordcamp.org\/2025\/how-was-wordcamp-nairobi-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Recap: How Was WordCamp Nairobi 2025?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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<\/strong><\/a>, became a hub of innovation, knowledge-sharing, laughter, and the start of connections and new friendships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s theme, \u201cDigital Safari: Explore, Build, and Share the Power of WordPress in Africa<\/strong>,\u201d couldn\u2019t have been more fitting. It captured exactly what unfolded, an inspiring mix of exploration, learning, and community spirit that defines Kenya\u2019s growing WordPress ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

View DAY 1 and DAY 2 photos<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Bigger, Bolder Camp<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This year marked the 9th edition of WordCamp Nairobi, solidifying its place in East Africa and across the continent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was not just a local gathering, but we had attendees from Cameroon, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Germany, Malaysia, <\/strong>and the U.S.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong><\/a>, d.light<\/strong><\/a> (Silver sponsor), DTS\u2011NET<\/a> <\/strong>(Bronze sponsor), and were present alongside others. They brought their swag, which lit up the hallways leading to the auditorium. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other global sponsors<\/strong> were: Hosting.com<\/a>, WordPress.com<\/a>, Bluehost<\/a>, Woo<\/a>, and Kinsta<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Community sponsors<\/strong> included: Hostjaer.com<\/a>, Web Pro Geeks<\/a>, WPCorner<\/a>, and Adapa Digital<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Microsposnors <\/strong>included: Michiel van Harten<\/a>, Kadestech<\/a>, Nyasha Green<\/a>, and Collins Meroka<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sun came out on both days, and it did not rain at all!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Day 1: Beginners’ Day<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Day one<\/a> presentations were beginner-friendly and focused on ensuring everyone related to the WordPress core, from content to plugins and themes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can find the speakers’ slides for Day 1 here: Day 1 Sessions<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 2: Contributors’ Day<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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,<\/a> mentions that, and how AI fails community publishers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find Ayobami Iroko\u2019s talk slides and other speakers for Day 2 here: Day 2 Sessions<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Norman Mithika, Team Lead<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Ayobami Iroko, Speaker<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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James Nyabola, Speaker<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Panel on Mentorship<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Panel Session on Diversity and Inclusivity on DAY 2<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

My Experience as an Organizer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This was the second time I was on the organizing committee for WordCamp Nairobi, and I couldn\u2019t have been any happier. The team lead, Norman Mithika<\/a>, 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the Room Feels Bigger Than the Crowd<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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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\u2019s when it truly hit us: the community showed up.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Achieving Our Theme: The Digital Safari<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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More Voices from WordCamp Nairobi 2025<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We weren\u2019t the only ones inspired by this year\u2019s event. Here are a few reflections and write-ups from community members, speakers, and attendees who shared their own WordCamp Nairobi 2025 stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n