French billionaire Vincent Bolloré is set to stand trial in December over long-running allegations of bribery and financial misconduct linked to port concessions in West Africa, according to French prosecutors.
The case, which has spanned nearly a decade, centres on claims that Bolloré leveraged his business interests to secure strategic port contracts in Togo and Guinea.
Prosecutors at France’s Parquet National Financier (PNF) confirmed that the charges include bribery tied to a port deal in Togo dating back roughly 15 years, as well as embezzlement allegations connected to a separate contract involving container terminals in Guinea.
At the heart of the case is Bolloré’s relationship with Havas, the advertising firm he previously controlled.
Investigators allege that Havas provided heavily discounted political campaign services that supported the electoral victories of President Faure Gnassingbé in Togo and President Alpha Condé in Guinea.
Authorities claim these services may have been used as indirect inducements to secure favourable port concessions.
French investigators further disclosed that a subsidiary of the Bolloré Group covered €300,000 approximately 75% of the total cost of campaign advisory services for Gnassingbé.
Prosecutors argue that such financial support raises concerns about the integrity of the contracting process and whether undue influence was exerted in awarding the port deals.
However, Bolloré has consistently denied any wrongdoing. His legal representatives maintain that the payments in question were part of legitimate commercial arrangements between the Bolloré Group and Havas.
They argue that the services rendered were standard business transactions and not intended to influence political outcomes or secure contracts improperly.
