French Billionaire Vincent Bolloré Accused of African Corruption Scandal
A coalition of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from five African countries has accused French billionaire Vincent Bolloré and his son, Cyrille Bolloré, of corruption and money laundering related to the acquisition and operation of port concessions across Africa. The allegations, filed in a Paris court, claim the Bolloré Group unlawfully secured port rights and later laundered profits through the sale of its African logistics business.
The complaint, led by the association Restitution for Africa (RAF) and supported by 11 NGOs from Togo, Guinea, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and France, targets Bolloré SE, Vincent Bolloré, and his son Cyrille, who serves as CEO of the group. The lawsuit alleges "handling and concealment of ill-gotten goods" and "money laundering" tied to the group's African operations.
Allegations of Illicit Deals and Money Laundering
The Bolloré Group, which sold its African ports and logistics business to Swiss-based MSC for €5.7 billion ($6.05 billion) in 2022, had operated 16 ports and numerous warehouses and transport hubs across 20 African countries, employing over 20,000 people. The NGOs claim that the profits from these operations were derived from port concessions obtained through corrupt practices, including alleged illegal support for the 2010 presidential campaigns of Faure Gnassingbé in Togo and Alpha Condé in Guinea.
French investigators have previously examined these allegations, which suggest the Bolloré Group used its consulting arm to back the campaigns in exchange for lucrative port deals in Lomé and Conakry. Although the group reached a settlement in an earlier case, French financial prosecutors in 2024 requested that Vincent Bolloré stand trial on charges of corruption and complicity in breach of trust.
The NGOs argue that the 2022 sale of Bolloré Africa Logistics to MSC effectively laundered the profits from these allegedly illicit concessions. Cyrille Bolloré, who took over as head of Bolloré Africa Logistics in 2019, is also named in the lawsuit.
Legal and Financial Repercussions
When contacted for comment, Olivier Baratelli, a lawyer for the Bolloré Group, declined to respond, stating he did not "see it useful to react." The case adds to the legal challenges facing Vincent Bolloré, whose African business dealings remain under scrutiny despite the financial windfall from the MSC sale.
The lawsuit underscores ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability in Africa's port operations, as well as the role of foreign corporations in shaping the continent's infrastructure. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for the Bolloré Group and its legacy in Africa.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the allegations highlight the complex interplay between business, politics, and governance in Africa, raising questions about the ethical responsibilities of multinational corporations operating in the region.