Bolloré Group faces legal action over alleged corruption in Africa
Eleven African non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from five countries have filed a complaint with France’s National Financial Prosecutor against the Bolloré Group, accusing it of money laundering and receiving stolen funds. The NGOs, united under the banner “Restitution for Africa” (RAF), are demanding criminal proceedings and the return of nearly €5.7 billion they claim was wrongfully taken from African communities.
The complaint targets Vincent Bolloré, CEO of the group, and his son, alleging corrupt practices in securing port concessions in Cameroon, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire.
In Togo and Guinea, the group is accused of using its communication arm, formerly Havas, to provide services to local leaders in exchange for maintaining its logistics interests.
This legal action follows years of investigations by the NGOs, who are pushing for prison sentences for those responsible and the redistribution of illicitly obtained funds to affected African populations. However, the outcome remains uncertain.
In 2021, a similar case involving corruption in Guinea was dismissed due to the statute of limitations, despite evidence of wrongdoing. In Togo, Bolloré admitted guilt and paid a €12 million fine, pledging to strengthen anti-corruption measures.
The RAF collective argues that these measures fall short. They insist that funds be returned directly to African communities, not the French state.
The case gains further complexity as Bolloré sold its port operations to the Italian-Swiss group MSC just a year after its settlement with French authorities, raising questions about the timing of the sale.
This lawsuit underscores the growing demand for accountability and transparency from multinational corporations operating in Africa.
It highlights the need to protect local communities from exploitation and ensure that justice is served for historical injustices.
The outcome could set a significant precedent for corporate responsibility on the continent.
