The term "francophone" refers to individuals or communities that speak the French language. This includes people from countries where French is the official language, such as France, Canada, and several nations in Africa. The francophone community is diverse, encompassing various cultures and dialects that share the common thread of the French language. In addition to native speakers, "francophone" can also describe those who use French as a second language. The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) promotes the use of French worldwide and supports cultural and educational initiatives among francophone countries.