Around 3,000 athletes from 37 countries participated in the multi-sport event over the past 10 days in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Kinshasa stepped up to take on the responsibility of staging the Games following the withdrawal of New Brunswick in Canada as hosts in 2019 due to financial issues.

Originally scheduled to be held in 2021, the Games were then hit by two postponements because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rising tensions between DR Congo and Rwanda had also overshadowed the build-up to the event staged against the backdrop of ongoing violence in the east of the host nation.

Despite facing a series of challenges, International Francophone Organisation director Zeina Mina praised organisers for delivering the Games.

"The Games of La Francophonie were held," said Min in a report by Francs Jeux.

"They took place without incident, in good conditions.

"The preparation was difficult, several sites were completed at the last minute.

"But things have been done.

"It is a Congolese miracle.

"Today, I can say that the host country has succeeded."

According to Francs Jeux, Benin and Armenia are considering bidding for the 2027 Francophone Games after Mina revealed that two nations had expressed an interest in playing host in four years’ time.

A decision on the host of the 2027 edition is expected to be made in November.

Morocco topped the overall standings at Kinshasa 2023 with 58 medals, including 23 golds, 16 silvers and 19 bronzes.

Romania registered 17 golds in their 38-strong medal haul to place second, while Cameroon, Senegal and Burkina Faso also enjoyed a successful Games to finish in the top five.

The last gold medal of Kinshasa 2023 was won by Cameroon after overcoming Burkina Faso 2-1 in the men’s football final.

Peter Nebamkia gave Cameroon a half-time lead before Harouna Dicko put Burkina Faso back on level terms.

Arthur Avom netted the winner for Cameroon when he fired home a penalty with nine minutes to go.