The Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), Louise Mushikiwabo, met Wednesday with Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb. Olivier Jean-Patrick Nduhungirehe, to discuss preparations for the 47th Francophonie Ministers’ Summit, scheduled for Nov. 19–20 in Kigali.
According to a statement from the OIF Secretariat, the two leaders reviewed organizational and logistical arrangements ahead of the annual gathering, which brings together foreign ministers from French-speaking countries to strengthen cooperation, promote shared values, and advance multilateral partnerships.
Hosting the summit underscores Rwanda’s growing influence within the Francophonie and reflects its commitment to the organization’s goals. Rwanda became a member of the Francophonie in 1970, the same year the organization was established.
The 46th Ministers’ Conference, held in Paris, France, unanimously approved Rwanda as the host for the next meeting. Officials said the Kigali summit will provide a platform for member states to align on regional and global priorities and set the stage for the next Francophonie Heads of State Summit.
Mushikiwabo, a Rwandan national, has led the OIF since October 2018, after being elected by member countries’ heads of state and government. She was re-elected in October 2022. Under her leadership, the Francophonie has focused on cultural and linguistic cooperation, youth engagement, digital transformation, and sustainable development across its member states.
The OIF, created on March 20, 1970, aims to foster solidarity among countries sharing the French language. It currently counts 93 members, including 56 full members, 5 associate members, and 32 observer states.
Officials said the Kigali meeting will serve not only as a forum for policy coordination but also as an opportunity to showcase Rwanda’s diplomatic leadership and organizational capacity. Discussions are expected to address pressing global challenges, reinforce linguistic and cultural diversity, and strengthen sustainable development initiatives within the Francophonie.
The summit will mark another milestone in Rwanda’s active engagement with the Francophonie, emphasizing the country’s role as a committed and influential member of the global French-speaking community.
