Louise Mushikiwabo
At a glance
| Born | 22 May 1961, Kigali |
|---|---|
| Office | Secretary General of the OIF since January 2019 |
| Earlier roles | Minister of Information, 2008 to 2009; Minister of Foreign Affairs, 2009 to 2018 |
| Studied | National University of Rwanda; University of Delaware |
Source: Wikipedia: Louise Mushikiwabo; Organisation internationale de la Francophonie: Louise Mushikiwabo1,2
Early life and career
Mushikiwabo was born in Kigali on 22 May 1961. She studied English at the National University of Rwanda in Butare, graduating in 1984, then moved to the United States in 1986 for a master’s degree in languages and interpretation at the University of Delaware. She later worked for the African Development Bank, where she became Communications Director.1
Minister
She returned to government as Minister of Information in 2008 and served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation from 2009 to 2018, also acting as Government Spokesperson. In 2006 she published Rwanda Means the Universe, a family memoir written with the journalist Jack Kramer.1
La Francophonie
On 12 October 2018, at the Yerevan summit, Mushikiwabo was elected Secretary General of the OIF, the fourth person to hold the post. She took office in January 2019 and was re-elected in Djerba in November 2022. She is a candidate for a third term at the 20th Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh on 15 and 16 November 2026.1,2,3
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Louise Mushikiwabo’s role?
Secretary General of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, since January 2019.
What did she do in Rwanda’s government?
She was Minister of Information from 2008 and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation from 2009 to 2018.
Where was she elected to the OIF?
At the Yerevan summit on 12 October 2018. She is the fourth person to hold the post.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Louise Mushikiwabo
- Organisation internationale de la Francophonie: Louise Mushikiwabo
- Monaco Voice: Monaco joins historic OIF auditions in Paris (July 2026)
Facts checked 9 November 2026. Prepared by InvestRwanda.com for general information.
