The Francophone Business Forum is a recognized partner of national and international public institutions that promotes the use of French as a working language and for economic exchanges on the international stage.
Created in 1987 by Stève Gentili, the FFA is one of the first global networks of international companies. Indeed, present on the five continents, it brings together economic actors by profession, by geographical area and by country. It has concluded agreements with:
- similar economic organizations in Anglophone, Arabic-speaking, Hispanic-speaking and Lusophone regions;
- it contributes to the development of an international economic life that values public/private partnerships and promotes exchanges in French.
The Francophone Business Forum is accredited by the United Nations agencies
With the’International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF), the Francophone Business Forum contributes to numerous initiatives (large-scale programs aimed at involving economic actors in the Francophone dynamic).
With the OIF, the FFA has designed and promoted Ethical Charter for Francophone Companies. It is based on the principles of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The action of the Francophone Business Forum primarily aims to support and promote the French language in economic action and development.
The Economic Francophonie Summit was recently held in the Senate, under the auspices of the President of the Forum Francophone des Affaires (FFA), Stève Gentili.
This is a high-level panel that was convened to develop a modern and forward-looking vision of the Francophonie in the economic field. Among others, we mention: Antoine Gosset-Grainville (President of Axa), Beatrice Kosowski (President of IBM France), Laurent Solly (General Director of Meta France), Xavier Durand (General Director of COFACE) or Saïd Ibrahimi (President of Casablanca Finance City).
Anicet-Georges Dologuélé, The former Prime Minister of the Central African Republic and current leader of the opposition was also present.
In a very notable speech, Slim Khalbous (Recteur de l’Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie), proposed adding a French-preferred clause in tenders, a practice widely developed in the Anglophone world and denounced as a kind of aberration in financial incentives in France for researchers who publish in English. He recalled that an «economic community is built through training and research».
In a very lively and dynamic presentation on the prospects of the global economy, Marc Touati noted that the’India had become the main driver of global growth And denounced the public inertia in the face of the deepening of France’s public debt: 850 billion in additional debt while GDP grows by 400 billion… France’s double-A rating is hanging by a thread; some major foreign investors have begun to withdraw. A downgrade would mean increased difficulties in financing the debt. France is now borrowing on terms far less advantageous than those of Greece.
These meetings were the occasion to present the prize for the best economic book in French to Kako Nubukpo for his latest work titled: «Africa and the rest of the world: from dependence to sovereignty», published on October 23, 2024 by the publishing house «Odile Jacob». Former Minister, Commissioner of the UEMO, the laureate dedicated this award to «the African youth, the source of my inspiration». A fierce critic of the CFA franc, Kako Nubukpo delivered a brilliant and well-supported presentation on the issue, placing it in its political and historical context. Steve Gentili, very opportunely, pointed out that, without General de Gaulle, the Americans were already preparing to introduce the dollar in Africa and that we would have seen the «CFA dollar». Kako Nubukpo advocated for a development model in which added value is generated on the African continent.
These sessions were concluded by a visit and conference organized by the International City of the French Language at the Château de Villers-Côtteret.
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