Zimbabwe Embraces French Language Week to Foster Youth Empowerment. City, Country — Harare, Zimbabwe — The government of Zimbabwe has warmly welcomed the celebration of French Language and Francophonie Weeks, emphasizing the importance of multilingualism and cultural exchange in the nation’s youth empowerment efforts. Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Kuda Mpamhanga, highlighted the government’s commitment to practical education and the role of language learning in enhancing employability and academic opportunities for young Zimbabweans.
The event, which commenced on 7 March and concluded on 22 March, 2026, was marked by the official opening at the Residence of France.
In his address, Mpamhanga referred to the French language as a bridge connecting cultures and fostering understanding among young people. He emphasized that in an interconnected world, multilingualism is a necessity, equipping Zimbabwean youth with skills that are valuable for regional and global cooperation.
According to Mpamhanga, the ministry is dedicated to practical, skills — based education and sees language learning as an integral part of this commitment.
The government is open to partnerships that offer teacher training, curriculum support, cultural exchange programs, and vocational pathways incorporating language competencies. Ambassador of France, Paul-Bertrand Barets, expressed gratitude to the Alliance Française de Harare and the Embassy of France for their coordination of the celebrations.
This year’s program included concerts, debates, film screenings, school activities, artistic performances, and professional exchanges.
The festivities were supported by various countries and institutions, including Belgium, Canada, Egypt, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the European Union, Greece, Romania, Rwanda, Serbia, and Switzerland.
The Director of the Alliance Française de Harare highlighted the daily commitment to promoting the French language, cultural dialogue, and higher education opportunities in France.
Ambassador Barets noted that the Francophonie represents over 320 million French speakers worldwide, with nearly 60 percent living in Africa, underscoring the continent’s central role within the Francophone world.
The Ambassador also mentioned the upcoming 20th Francophonie Summit in Cambodia, which is expected to focus on cultural, economic, and digital opportunities in the Francophone space. He emphasized that speaking French opens doors professionally, academically, and internationally and is a symbol of belonging to a community united by shared values.
The celebrations featured a performance by a Franco — Zimbabwean artistic collaboration, showcasing the vibrancy and diversity of Francophone cultures.
