Kagame arrives in Cambodia ahead of landmark Francophonie summit

President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame have arrived in Phnom Penh for a state visit to Cambodia ahead of the 20th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), scheduled for November 15–16, 2026.

The visit is expected to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between Rwanda and Cambodia, while giving Kagame an opportunity to engage with other leaders attending the high-level Francophonie gathering.

The summit will be held under the theme “Reinvest in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Lasting Stability,” focusing on the role of French-speaking nations in addressing global challenges, promoting peace and security, and expanding cooperation in trade, education, culture and development.

Leaders are also expected to discuss ways of reinforcing the shared values of the Francophonie and strengthening collaboration among member states.

Phnom Penh prepares for a series of Francophonie events

Several events have been organised in Phnom Penh alongside the summit to showcase the cultural, economic and technological potential of French-speaking countries.

The 48th Session of the OIF Ministerial Conference will take place on November 14, bringing together foreign ministers ahead of the main summit.

The Village de la Francophonie, scheduled for November 13–17, will showcase the culture, arts, languages and economic opportunities of member countries.

FrancoTech 2026, running from November 14–16, will focus on technology, innovation and investment, with discussions covering artificial intelligence, digital governance, financial technology, agriculture and food security.

The Francophonie Conference for the Asia-Pacific region is also taking place from November 10–12, focusing on research and scientific cooperation.

This year’s summit carries added significance as member states are expected to elect a new Secretary-General of the OIF, a decision that could shape the organisation’s priorities and direction in the coming years.

Cambodia becomes only the second Asian country to host the Francophonie Summit, following Vietnam, which hosted the gathering in 1997. It is also the first time Cambodia is hosting the summit since becoming a full member of the OIF in 1993.