Allegations of Corruption Continue to Haunt Bolloré Group’s African Ports Division

France’s Bolloré Group has been embroiled in a long-standing controversy surrounding allegations of corruption within its African ports division. Despite the division’s sale to MSC in 2022, the issue has not been laid to rest. Recently, a collective of 11 NGOs from West Africa have taken legal action by filing a complaint with the French National Financial Prosecutor’s Office, seeking restitution for what they claim are corrupt practices that allowed Bolloré to secure noncompetitive concession terms for its port operations.

Formerly known as Bolloré Africa Logistics and now operating under the name AGL, the division has a storied history dating back to the 1920s. Bolloré Group’s sale of the division to MSC for $6 billion marked a significant development in the company’s evolution. Despite the change in ownership, the controversy surrounding alleged corrupt dealings continues to linger.

Over the years, Bolloré Group has faced accusations of corruption in its operations in West Africa. In 2018, then-president Vincent Bolloré came under investigation for reportedly using his media empire to influence election campaigns in Guinea and Togo. Subsequent investigations revealed that Bolloré Group had received favorable concessions for container terminals in Conakry, Guinea, and Lome, Togo, leading to a settlement with French authorities in 2021.

Most recently, a coalition of African NGOs from Togo, Guinea, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Cameroon has accused Vincent Bolloré, his son Cyrille Bolloré, and Bolloré Group of engaging in illegal practices to secure port operations in the region. The coalition, known as “Restitution for Africa” (RAF), has alleged money laundering and fraud, calling for a comprehensive criminal investigation.

RAF’s complaint highlights the sale of the port assets to MSC in 2022 as a continuation of the alleged illegal activities, citing the offense of receiving stolen goods. The coalition aims to utilize a new French law that allows assets recovered from foreign corruption cases to be returned to affected countries for economic development projects.

As the legal battle unfolds, the cloud of corruption continues to loom over Bolloré Group’s African ports division, raising questions about accountability and transparency in the region’s maritime industry. The outcome of the complaint filed by RAF will likely have far-reaching implications for the company and the broader business landscape in West Africa.