Konan N’Da N’Dri: a Model and Committed Ivorian Wikimedian

Konan N’Da N’Dri, an Ivorian student in physics and chemistry and a passionate Wikimedia contributor, has become a key figure in the Ivorian Wikimedia community. As a trainer, patroller, and project leader, he dedicates his energy to enriching free online content.

The story begins in 2019 when N’Da N’Dri (User:Dadrik), then a student, noticed a missing detail on his university’s Wikipedia page. He decided to intervene by adding his field of study. It was a modest contribution, but he had no idea that it would mark the start of a journey that would take him far. In 2023, during a Wikimedia workshop in Daloa, his passion for knowledge-sharing was truly ignited.

The turning point came at the workshop led by Aristide Kouamé, who introduced him to the Wiki spirit. “I realized that by contributing, I could help build a shared body of knowledge, especially about Côte d’Ivoire.” From that moment on, N’Da N’Dri has been actively contributing to Wikimedia projects. Active on Wikipedia, Wikidata, and Wikimedia Commons, he focuses on a variety of topics, including the environment, history, and Ivorian localities.

One of his most notable projects is the WikCan Tour in San Pedro, an initiative supported by the Ivorian user group to document the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN). This project not only enriched online content but also led to the creation of a WikiClub in the city of San Pedro.

But Konan N’Da N’Dri doesn’t just contribute—he has made sharing knowledge a fundamental part of his commitment. Now serving as the secretary-general of his university’s WikiClub in Daloa, he regularly trains new contributors, sharing his experience to help them master Wikimedia platforms. In addition to his regular contributions, N’Da N’Dri participates in the 100WikiDays challenge, which involves writing one article per day for 100 days, and he has recently obtained the rollbacker status on Wikipedia.

For him, every contribution is a precious stone in the building of knowledge. “What inspires me the most is knowing that what I create today will be useful to others, even after I’m gone.”

His commitment, both to knowledge and environmental protection, reflects a model of perseverance and passion. On December 5, 2024, during the International Volunteer Day, Konan N’Da N’Dri was awarded the Community Prize of the Zenman Trophies 2023-2024. This recognition was granted by the Ivorian Wikimedia community for his invaluable contributions and his positive influence on the growth of Wikimedia projects in Côte d’Ivoire.

Through this award, the community has honored his hard work, dedication, and ability to inspire others to engage in the mission of sharing free knowledge. Konan N’Da N’Dri sees this recognition as further motivation: “The road is still long, but every drop counts in the ocean of knowledge we need to build.”

Today, he continues to advocate for a more engaged community in Wikimedia projects in Côte d’Ivoire. “Everyone can contribute. You just need to start by reading the help pages and contributing with sincerity.”

A true builder of knowledge, Konan N’Da N’Dri perfectly embodies passion, learning, and perseverance. His journey is a concrete example of how individual commitment can transform the landscape of knowledge-sharing in Côte d’Ivoire.