About
About CNF
Established by Decree No. 92-162/PMRT of 17 June 1992, the National Commission for the Francophonie (NCF) is the national body responsible for coordinating, advising on and monitoring cooperation activities in all areas covered by the Francophonie, including the French language and cultural and linguistic diversity, education, human rights, development, digital transformation, youth, gender equality and related fields.
Administratively, it operates under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad, and technically under the Sherpa Office, the Personal Representative and Adviser to the President of the Council at the Permanent Council of the Francophonie (CPF).
As the permanent national body for the Francophonie, the NCF plays a key role in monitoring and implementing OIF programmes in Togo. It leads and supports initiatives promoting the French language as well as cultural and linguistic diversity. It advocates for education and youth training through national universities and institutes, the Senghor University in Alexandria, the ELAN (Schools and National Languages) project and the IFADEM programme (Francophone Initiative for Distance Teacher Training). The Commission supported the establishment of the National Centre for Reading and Cultural Activities (CENALAC), strengthened the first network and contributed to the creation of the second network of Reading and Cultural Activity Centres (CLAC) in Togo. It also supports capacity building for cultural and creative stakeholders and civil society, facilitates the mobility of authors and creators, and promotes the creation, circulation and dissemination of artistic and intellectual works. In addition, it supports cultural festivals such as Filbleu, Festilarts and Nikala, as well as cultural centres across the country.
The Francophonie: A Commitment to Dynamic Multilateral Cooperation
The Francophonie is first and foremost a community of women and men who share a common language: French. According to the latest report by the French Language Observatory, published in 2026, there are an estimated 396 million French speakers across the five continents. It is also an institutional framework dedicated to promoting the French language and national languages while fostering political, educational, economic and cultural cooperation among the 90 member States and governments of the International Organisation of the Francophonie (OIF).
This framework is governed by the Charter of the Francophonie, adopted in 1997, whose highest decision-making body is the Summit of the Francophonie. For the past 56 years, the International Organisation of the Francophonie (OIF) has promoted multilateral Francophone cooperation among its 90 member States and governments, and its mission is to promote the use and sharing of the French language, reaffirming its role as a vehicle for unity, opportunity and dialogue among peoples.
Since 2019, the OIF has been evolving to adapt its operations and programmes to contemporary challenges and better respond to the needs of the world’s 396 million French speakers, with a particular focus on young people and women. The OIF’s 2024–2027 programming is centred around three strategic priorities:
· Culture and Education,
· Democracy and Governance,
· Sustainable Development.
In Francophone Africa, the Francophonie is represented regionally by the Regional Office for West Africa (REPAO), which covers thirteen countries, including Togo. Every member State has a responsibility to contribute to the vitality and influence of the Francophonie.
A mission driven by strong values.
Coordinate and lead initiatives within the framework of the Francophonie.
Prepare and monitor the implementation of the decisions, resolutions and recommendations adopted at the Summits of the Francophonie.
Participate, through its representatives, in the activities of the various bodies and institutions established by the Conference of Heads of State and Government.
Ensure the logistical preparation of Togo's participation in the Summits.