Vincent Bolloré and Son Accused of Corruption and Money Laundering in African Port Operations

A coalition of African NGOs has filed a legal complaint against the Bolloré Group, alleging systemic corruption and financial harm across five countries over two decades.

The complaint accuses the Bolloré Group of securing African port concessions through favoritism, influence peddling, and illegal practices in Togo, Guinea, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Cameroon.
Plaintiffs claim the group's actions caused significant financial losses, including $4.1 billion in Ghana and €60 million in unpaid fees and penalties in Cameroon.
French prosecutors have been investigating the Bolloré Group since 2013, with prior settlements including a €12 million fine for activities related to Guinea and Togo.
The 2022 sale of Bolloré Africa Logistics for €5.7 billion is alleged to have laundered profits from the group's fraudulent concessions.
Plaintiffs seek restitution under France's 2021 'ill-gotten gains' law, aiming to redirect seized assets to development projects in affected African nations.

Courrier International