The African Union Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI), in partnership with the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie and the Alliance Ethio-française, successfully hosted the 2026 edition of the Great Francophonie Dictation at the Nelson Mandela Hall.

Organized in celebration of the International Day of La Francophonie, the event brought together nearly 400 participants from across the Francophone and Francophile community in Addis Ababa, including students, professionals, and language enthusiasts.

This flagship initiative promotes the French language and multilingualism while celebrating cultural diversity and strengthening ties within the Francophone community. It also serves as a platform to enhance participants’ competencies in spelling, grammar, and written comprehension.

In her opening remarks, representing the ESTI director, Professor Madougou Saidou, Ms. Woudase Abebe emphasized that the gathering goes beyond a cultural event, serving as a celebration of language, knowledge, and shared identity. She noted that the French language remains a bridge between cultures and a key vector for education, cooperation, and intercultural dialogue.

She further highlighted that such initiatives are fully aligned with continental priorities, stressing that mastery of language is the gateway to all other learning and remains essential to achieving Africa’s ambitions in education, innovation, and human capital development.

H.E. Madam Nefertiti Tshibanda, Representative of the OIF to the African Union, the United Nations and the Republic of Djibouti, underscored the global and continental importance of the Francophonie, stating that “The Francophonie embodies far more than a linguistic space; it is a vision and a set of shared values promoting peace, democracy, education, and the full participation of youth.” 

Madam Nefertiti Tshibanda also highlighted Africa’s central role in the future of the French language, noting that “With nearly 396 million French speakers worldwide, 65% of whom are in Africa, the continent is set to become the demographic center of the Francophonie.” 

Participants competed across six proficiency levels, from beginner (A1–A2) to advanced (C1–C2), in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), ensuring inclusivity and fairness.

The competition benefited from the technical expertise of the Alliance Ethio-française, which mobilized qualified educators to oversee the preparation, coordination, and evaluation processes.

For media Enquiries, please contact:

1. Aziz MSHANGAMA | Senior Internal Communication officer | African Union Commission  | Email: mshangamaA@AfricanUnion.org  | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2. Gamal Karar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | Email: GamalK@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africanunion.org  
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