On March 20, International Francophonie Day, the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) published a report indicating that French is the fourth most spoken language worldwide, with 396 million speakers. The report also revealed that 65% of these speakers are located in Africa, and projections suggest that by 2050, nine out of ten French speakers will be living on the continent. Despite the growing number of speakers, concerns persist regarding the overall decline of the French language, particularly in terms of its institutional presence and promotion in the face of competing digital languages and technologies.

Nimrod, a poet and writer originally from Chad, expressed his views to RFI regarding the state of the French language and its declining use in various contexts. He emphasized that the decline can be significantly linked to the quality of education available to French speakers, particularly in Africa, where many students are not receiving a robust education in the language. This educational shortfall is seen as detrimental not only to the language itself but also to the cultural and intellectual development of French-speaking populations.

The implications of this trend raise important questions about the future of the French language, particularly in Africa, where it holds a critical place in post-colonial identity and cultural exchange. With the digital era bringing new challenges and opportunities, it will be essential to address educational shortcomings and find new ways to promote the French language effectively in order to ensure its survival and growth among younger generations.