Below are 10 hallmark achievements of her tenure, along with an outlook on the upcoming leadership race.

Top 10 Achievements (2019–2026)

1. Structural Overhaul and Financial Transparency Mushikiwabo inherited an institution often seen as administratively heavy. She spearheaded a rigorous internal reform, streamlining departments and decentralizing the OIF’s presence. This shift ensured that a higher percentage of the budget reaches field projects in member states rather than remaining in central administration.  

2. The Rise of "Economic Francophonie" Breaking tradition, Mushikiwabo transformed the OIF into a trade facilitator. She organized high-level trade missions to Africa and Southeast Asia, bridging the gap between Francophone businesses. A notable success was the mission to Benin, which resulted in trade agreements worth roughly €30 million.  

3. The "Teacher Mobility" Initiative To safeguard the quality of French in high-growth regions, she launched a program that deploys expert educators to non-Francophone or multilingual countries. Nations like Ghana and Rwanda have benefited, ensuring French remains a competitive tool for professional advancement.  

4. The "D-CLIC" Digital Skills Program Recognizing the tech gap, the D-CLIC project was established to train thousands of young people in coding, web development, and digital marketing. This program has successfully integrated Francophone youth into the global digital economy.

5. "La Francophonie avec Elles" Launched during the global pandemic, this solidarity fund specifically targets vulnerable women. It provides micro-grants and vocational training, helping thousands of women achieve economic independence across the Global South.  

6. Conflict Mediation and Political Dialogue Mushikiwabo has maintained a firm yet diplomatic hand during a period of significant political instability in West Africa and the Sahel. Eschewing simple isolationism, she has used the OIF as a platform for "permanent dialogue" to help transition back to constitutional order in member states.  

7. Enhanced Global Multilateralism Under her leadership, the OIF has strengthened its partnerships with the UN, the African Union, and the EU. She has positioned the Francophone space as a unified voting bloc on global issues like climate finance and pandemic preparedness.

8. Strategic Decentralization She expanded the OIF’s physical and operational footprint, opening and strengthening regional offices. This "proximity policy" ensures the organization is responsive to the local needs of member states outside of Europe.  

9. Advocacy for Youth and Innovation The creation of "innovation hubs" across the Francophone space has supported young entrepreneurs. By reframing French as a "language of opportunity" rather than a colonial relic, she has revitalized the organization’s appeal to Gen Z.

10. Modernization of the Summits From Djerba (2022) to the current preparations for Phnom Penh (2026), she has transitioned the Francophonie Summits from symbolic gatherings into working forums focused on digital transformation and sustainable development.

The Road to November 2026: Votes and Contestants

As Mushikiwabo’s second term approaches its conclusion, the OIF is preparing for its next election at the General Assembly in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in November 2026. 

• Louise Mushikiwabo (Rwanda): Officially seeking a historic third term with strong backing from Rwanda and several member states cited for her "stabilizing leadership." 

• Dacian Cioloș (Romania): A former Prime Minister of Romania and former European Commissioner for Agriculture.

•Juliana Amato Lumumba(DRCongo): She is the daughter of Congo’s independence hero, Patrice Lumumba.

The upcoming vote will determine if the OIF continues Mushikiwabo’s "reformist" path or shifts toward a new political direction.