The first-ever pan-African PyCon — University of Ghana, Accra • 6th–10th August 2022. A comprehensive look back at the sessions, the community, the impact, and the numbers that tell our story.
This included 181 tickets issued at the special lower rate for students and those of limited financial means, and 48 free tickets. 35 of the free tickets were funded through the generosity of members of the international Python community. 29 were allocated to Django Girls attendees and coaches.
Three of the eight organising committee members were women. A Django Girls workshop helped 21 women make their start in Python web programming. A PyLadies meeting established plans for supporting female programmers in Africa, including a dedicated PyLadies Africa Slack channel.
Topics included data science, machine learning, web, robotics, security, GIS, core Python, careers, community building, testing, medicine, accessibility, payment systems, education, and frontend technologies. Keynote speakers: Anna Makarudze, Ewa Jodlowska, Moustapha Cisse, and Kojo Idrissa.
Most attendees came from Ghana. Around 70 travelled from other African nations including Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and more. The conference also welcomed 14 international visitors from the US, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, India, Greece, and Brazil.
Free accommodation for 58 attendees, 48 wholly free tickets, numerous discounted tickets, long-distance bus travel for 16 regional travellers, and air travel for 12 travellers from across Africa — made possible through a community GoFundMe campaign that raised nearly US$4000.
The Python Software Foundation, Django Software Foundation, and Django Society UK provided foundation support. Britecore and Andela contributed with large team presences. Individual community members donated via GoFundMe, raising €3586.09 after fees — including an unexpected €500 from GoFundMe themselves.
On most days this included breakfast, lunch, dinner and refreshments. Though these rates are a fraction of those charged for a similar conference in the west, they remained beyond the financial means of many who wanted to attend.
Finding a way to price tickets that is financially viable for the organisers and affordable for all who should be able to attend remains a problem without an obvious solution.
All conference and social activities were covered by a formal code of conduct, enforced by a dedicated team.
A safe and welcoming environment for all attendees, speakers, and volunteers.
Organised by: Marlene Mhangami (Chair), Aaron Yankey, Aisha Bello, Michael Young (Treasurer), Abigail Mesrenyame Dogbe, Noah Alorwu (Talks lead), Mannie Young, Daniele Procida.
Volunteers are the backbone of every PyCon Africa — their contributions make the conference happen.
PSF Board Member • Zimbabwe Python Community
Executive Director • Python Software Foundation
Research Scientist • Google AI, Accra
Organiser • Django Software Foundation
The second pan-African PyCon returned to Accra in 2022, building on the foundation laid by this inaugural edition.
Explore PyCon Africa 2022
