Controversial French billionaire, Vincent Bolloré, is once again in the spotlight — this time facing fraud allegations tied to his port operations in Africa. French prosecutors have intensified investigations into alleged bribery, influence peddling, and illicit business practices in Bolloré’s dealings across Togo, Guinea, and other West African countries.
Bolloré Group, through its subsidiary Bolloré Africa Logistics, controls a significant share of Africa’s logistics and port infrastructure. However, prosecutors allege that the billionaire used underhanded tactics to secure port contracts, including allegedly funding political campaigns of African leaders in exchange for economic favours.
Though Bolloré had earlier admitted to certain irregularities and agreed to a fine in 2021, the new case suggests deeper and more systemic malpractice. Legal experts believe this could expose the group to greater reputational and financial risks, especially with mounting global scrutiny around foreign exploitation of African resources and infrastructure.
In 2022, Bolloré sold his African logistics arm to MSC Group, yet his name continues to echo in ongoing probes. Analysts say this latest development could also impact future foreign direct investments (FDI) in Africa, where trust and transparency in public-private partnerships remain delicate.
African civil society groups have since renewed calls for greater transparency and local ownership in port management, arguing that foreign monopolies often stifle local economies.
