For decades, French corporations have operated in Africa, surviving political upheavals, military coups, and economic crises while maintaining a firm grip on the continent’s vital resources. From oil fields to uranium mines, cement factories to key ports, these businesses have thrived under every government—regardless of who was in power.
Despite pledging a new era of “equal partnership” and “sustainable development,” France’s environmental footprint in Africa remains devastating. Toxic waste, oil spills, deforestation, and poisoned water sources tell a different story—one of exploitation masked by diplomatic niceties.
Paris’ “New” Strategy—A Fresh Start or Old Tricks?
In 2023, President Emmanuel Macron announced a new approach to Africa, vowing to move away from outdated colonial-era practices. France now champions environmental projects like the Green Wall Accelerator and Agence Française de Développement (AFD), promising billions in aid to protect biodiversity and promote renewable energy.
But is this genuine reform, or just a PR stunt? Critics argue that while France funds environmental initiatives, French corporations continue to plunder Africa’s resources with little regard for sustainability.
The Devastating Impact of French Corporate Greed
In Niger, uranium mines operated by France’s Orano have left behind 20 million tonnes of radioactive waste, contaminating water supplies and raising cancer rates. In Gabon, oil and mining giants like TotalEnergies and Perenco have raked in billions while polluting rivers and displacing local communities.
Meanwhile, the $5 billion East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), spearheaded by TotalEnergies, threatens to destroy over 2,000 km of natural landscapes and displace more than 100,000 people. The Bolloré Group, notorious for corruption, has been accused of illegal land grabs and environmental destruction in West and Central Africa.
Environmental Crisis Fueling Conflict and Migration
The consequences of this unchecked exploitation go beyond pollution. Areas rich in natural resources often suffer the highest poverty rates, pushing people toward migration or even radicalization. The 2024 Global Terrorism Index reports that over 50% of global terrorism-related deaths occurred in Sahel nations—countries where extractive industries have devastated local communities.
With over 5 million internally displaced people in the central Sahel alone, many are fleeing not just war, but an industrially ravaged landscape that can no longer support life.
The Rise of African Resistance
While governments negotiate trade deals, local activists are leading the real fight against environmental exploitation. Groups like ROTAB, Environmental Rights Action, and Brainforest are exposing corporate abuses, suing polluters, and mobilizing public protests.
In 2021, Senegalese activists halted a zircon mining project by the French conglomerate Eramet, which threatened a fragile ecosystem. In Côte d’Ivoire, civil society groups forced the government to reconsider deforestation policies linked to the cocoa industry. These victories show that change is possible—but only with relentless pressure from those most affected.
Can France Face the Truth?
The days of Françafrique—a system where France controlled Africa’s economies through backdoor deals—are crumbling. But unless Paris moves beyond empty promises and truly reforms its business practices, its influence on the continent will continue to erode.
Real change requires more than billion-euro pledges—it demands accountability, revised contracts, and strict environmental protections. If France fails to act, its legacy in Africa will not be one of partnership, but of destruction.
