French billionaire Vincent Bolloré is scheduled to face trial in December concerning long-standing allegations of bribery and financial misconduct tied to port concessions in West Africa. The case, which has been ongoing for nearly a decade, focuses on claims that Bolloré utilized his business interests to secure strategic port contracts in Togo and Guinea.

Prosecutors at France’s Parquet National Financier (PNF) have confirmed the charges, which include bribery associated with a Togo port deal dating back approximately 15 years. Embezzlement allegations connected to a separate contract involving container terminals in Guinea are also part of the indictment.

At the core of the case is Bolloré’s relationship with Havas, the advertising firm he formerly 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 served 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. The decision to proceed to trial follows Bolloré’s unsuccessful attempt in 2021 to resolve the matter through a negotiated plea.

At the time, the billionaire sought to end the criminal proceedings by accepting a guilty plea, but the agreement was ultimately rejected by a French judge. This occurred shortly after Bolloré’s company reached a €12 million ($13.8 million) settlement with the PNF.

Bolloré’s legal team, led by Olivier Baratelli and Céline Astolfe, has challenged the fairness of the upcoming trial. They contend that the collapse of the earlier plea deal has irreparably undermined their client’s right to a fair hearing and compromised the presumption of innocence.

The trial unfolds as Vincent Bolloré leads efforts to further cement the group’s influence across Africa, deepening its footprint in both media and entertainment. The Bolloré Group, which controls Vivendi, the parent company of Canal+, has been central to a wave of strategic acquisitions on the continent. Through Canal+, in September 2025, the group took control of MultiChoice Group, the South African broadcast giant.