The 19th Francophonie Summit, which took place in France on October 4 and 5, was attended by numerous heads of state and government from member countries of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF). The context was very specific, and the stakes were considerable.
The facts are clear. There was a time when Paris was indeed the most Francophone city in the world. This has not been the case for several years. Kinshasa, with its roughly 13 million inhabitants, now tops the list. It is far from the only African city to rank among the top 10 most Francophone cities in the world. Abidjan, Casablanca, Yaoundé, Bamako, Ouagadougou, and Dakar are also in the ranking.
Two out of three Francophones live on the continent. At this rate, by 2050, 85% of Francophones will be African. In other words, French will be spoken more on the African continent than anywhere else. The Demographic and Statistical Observatory of the Francophone World (ODSEF) specifies that Africa will have more than 90% of young Francophones aged 15-29.
Francophonie Without France in Africa
This new reality was acknowledged at the 19th Francophonie Summit, which had not been held in France for 33 years, as participants contemplated the future of the French language in a turbulent world. The future of French depends on expanding the Francophone world. In this context, the OIF, which had 88 members, officially welcomed Ghana and Cyprus as new members, and Angola as an observer.
Participants gathered at the Château de Villers-Cotterêts for a day focused on digital and cultural matters and later met in Paris for a cosmopolitan dinner at the Élysée. On Saturday, political discussions centered on international crises, particularly in the Middle East, with a special focus on Lebanon.
Although fewer leaders than expected were present, 19 heads of state, including Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC and Paul Kagame of Rwanda, participated. They maintained their positions regarding their bilateral dispute. The discussions largely focused on global challenges for Africa, in the absence of the Sahel states, currently suspended from the OIF, but which may return.
The recent reintegration of Guinea is seen as a positive sign for these countries. It is a reality that, for the French language to thrive, it needs all Francophones. Especially since the French language is in decline and now faces serious challenges.
On one hand, La Francophonie, with its limited budget, struggles to maintain its influence, and some historical members have joined the Commonwealth. On the other hand, the organization must address its image deficit, as the OIF is sometimes criticized for political interference in favor of French diplomacy.
The French Language: A Shared Heritage
Villers-Cotterêts, the town hosting the opening of the 19th Francophonie Summit, is the birthplace of Alexandre Dumas. It is also from this small town, located a few kilometers from Paris, that Francis I imposed the use of French instead of Latin in the 16th century.
But the language of four centuries ago has evolved significantly. Terms such as "taxieur,” "alphabète,” "boucantier,” or "enjailler” have recently entered French dictionaries. All of these words come directly from Francophone Africa, proving that French continues to draw from the continent that holds its future.