Francafrique : French influence in Africa

This is going to be a tough political and economic topic to talk about. France and Africa. 

Don’t get me wrong. I love France. I love the culture & the language. Anything positive about France. Especially for the fact that I have indeed visited the country in 2019 as I am Francophile & Europhile. 🇫🇷🇪🇺🙂

However there are pros and cons. Pros (good/positive side) & cons (bad/negative side) about France which I hate to be the bearer of bad news (since I am fond of the French culture) as I will talk about cons.

France’s relationship with Africa. 

Francafrique: France’s policy of neo colonialism in French speaking African nations. It is the French’s sphere of influence in Africa. Françafrique. Since 1945, former French colonies have been using the currency CFA Franc.

The colonial currency ruled economically & financially by the French. No wonder French speaking countries in West Africa & Central Africa didn’t had their own national currency. At least now that is changing cos soon, CFA Franc in Africa will be out of circulation.

There will be the West Africa version of the euro. It will be called “Eco”.

It is a relief. Ending over 75 years of CFA Franc in former French colonies in Africa (although it’ll be pegged to the Euro). West African countries will hold 50% of the reserves in the French treasury. Meaning no bank governor from France. However due to the Covid pandemic, there is a delay & slow progress to actually making it happen. 

France used to have the original national currency. Franc (French Franc) until the country adopted the Euro in 2002.

For so long, former colonial power have been controlling & meddling the affairs of its former colonies as of the francophone countries in Africa are not sovereign independent nations including controlling the CFA Franc. Now that won’t be the case anymore. Even the past French Presidents including the current president (Macron) who have been wanting to end the policy of Francafrique (France’s influence in Africa) cos its not fair on independent French speaking countries as if there is still under the French rule.

Although France & Africa will still remain friends, it is the French influence (on terms of colonialism has to end economically & financially as CFA Franc is on the way to be out of the circulation). This is how France sees Africa. “poor continent”.

So I want to say in French. Au revoir to the Francafrique. French neo colonialism & CFA Franc. 🌍🇫🇷 Only if African leaders who are leading French speaking countries, can make it happen. So far, no sign of putting it into action along with the French. 

I find it quite odd that Francafrique is on the way to be over. Yet, China (rising superpower) wants to seek influence in Africa with debt trap diplomacy (Belt & Road initiative). Which I previously mentioned in my previous blog post. mrlimitless95.blogspot.com 

So let’s hope that there won’t anymore Foreign influence in Africa with neo colonialism mindset. Whether is the French, the Chinese or any foreign power. Africa really has to be developed economically and get rid of awful leaders & despots. That’s why Africa has a horrible reputation regarding corruption, bad leadership, poverty, diseases like Malaria & flawed democracies. I say this as someone with African roots. The truth is that the West & even China, they don’t want Africa to be economically rich & competitor/rival so that’s why Africa is “poor” & being taken advantage in the colonial way by the French and the Chinese in terms of seeking & having influence in the African continent. 🇫🇷🇨🇳