French President Emmanuel Macron has sparked debate across the Francophone world after declaring that the “epicenter of the French language” is now located in the Congo Basin rather than along the banks of the Seine in Paris.

Speaking in Alexandria during an event dedicated to the Francophonie and the inauguration of the new campus of Senghor University, Macron stated:

The remarks quickly drew online reactions, with many questioning whether the French president’s statement was factually accurate.

According to figures cited by Le Figaro from the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), France remains the single country with the largest number of French speakers, with approximately 66 million francophones representing 96% of its population. The Democratic Republic of the Congo ranks second, with around 57 million French speakers, accounting for roughly 51% of its population.

However, Macron referred specifically to the “Congo Basin,” a broader regional space that includes six countries: Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon.

Combined, these countries represent around 77 million French speakers, surpassing France itself.

The figures reflect a deeper demographic transformation taking place within the Francophone world. According to the OIF, nearly 65% of the world’s 396 million French speakers now live in Africa, a trend expected to accelerate significantly in the coming decades.

The organization estimates that the global Francophone population could exceed 500 million adults by 2050, driven overwhelmingly by African population growth.

Macron’s remarks are increasingly being interpreted not simply as a linguistic observation, but as recognition of Africa’s growing cultural and geopolitical weight within the Francophone sphere.