KIGALI, Rwanda – As the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) prepares for a pivotal leadership election in 2026, the current Secretary General, Rwanda’s Louise Mushikiwabo, is presiding over a period of significant institutional transformation, with analysts pointing to tangible impacts both for the 90-member body and her home country.
Mushikiwabo, who was first elected in 2018 and secured a second four-year term in November 2022, has spearheaded a strategic overhaul of the 55-year-old organisation since assuming office in 2019. This reform agenda is set to be a central part of her legacy as the OIF gears up for the 20th Francophonie Summit in Cambodia, where member states will vote on their next leader.
The cornerstone of this transformation is a four-year strategic plan launched in 2023, which consolidates the OIF’s mission into 20 key projects across three pillars: education and culture, democracy and good governance, and sustainable development.
“Mushikiwabo has aligned the OIF with modern global challenges,” said Victor Nkindi, a specialist in international organisations. “We have seen extensive programs supporting women’s development, and strong initiatives in French-language education. Rwanda is an example—numerous teachers from OIF member states have come to teach French across the country. And this is happening not only in Africa but also in North America and Asia. The teaching programs have brought real change.”
The reforms extend beyond language and culture, emphasizing civil registration, human rights, and economic development in the face of climate change, with sustainable tourism emerging as a new focus area. To implement this ambitious agenda, the OIF’s 330 staff members are being directed to work more closely with local institutions, a shift that has necessitated a projected 21% increase in the organisation’s operating budget.
The OIF’s influence, built over five decades, remains a potent force in international diplomacy.
“For more than 50 years, the OIF has held significant influence in politics and diplomacy,” explained Ambassador Dr. Joseph Nsengimana, a political and diplomacy analyst. “One of its core values is collaboration among member states in promoting good governance and protecting human rights. Its political influence is just as important as its cultural mission.”
Rwanda’s role within the Francophonie has been notably elevated under Mushikiwabo’s tenure. This week, the nation is reinforcing its central position by hosting the 46th Conference of Foreign Ministers from Francophonie member states.
As the OIF continues to evolve—now representing over 340 million people globally—the upcoming 2026 election in Cambodia will determine who will guide the organisation forward. The decision will signal whether member states wish to continue on the reformist path charted by Secretary General Mushikiwabo or steer the global Francophone community in a new direction.
