Francophone Africa and India The Untapped Potential

Francophone Africa has a unique history, and the intricate and complex intertwining and close intersection of its economic and political systems with France, even after gaining independence, have impacted its post-independence worldview and its relationships with the rest of the world, particularly the Anglophone world, including India.

- By Amb Manju Seth (retd)

The deep-seated interdependencies, including linguistic constraints, prevented the independent Francophone countries in Africa from completely breaking away from France and approaching the rest of the world with a fresh and robust outreach.

Through various arrangements, France continued to maintain a fair degree of influence and control over its former colonies even after they became independent. Among these was the creation of La Francophonie to promote the French language and foster cultural, political, educational, and economic cooperation among members. What has been termed derogatorily as Francafrique refers to France’s political, economic, and cultural control over former colonies in sub-Saharan Africa and was instrumental in continuing a France-centric order, with France endeavouring to ensure its dominant status. The CFA franc, introduced in 1945 to replace the French franc, is still used in 14 Central and West African countries, many years after their independence, creating a strong economic link with France. The arrangement between France and these countries mandates that CFA franc—euro parity be maintained and that the central banks of these 14 countries keep 50% of their foreign currency reserves in the French treasury.

These arrangements are being perceived as one-sided, and there has been growing resentment in recent years, with young Africans and some political leaders in these countries calling for an end to French control. Francafrique is gradually being dismantled, and France’s military, diplomatic, and economic footprint in these countries is being challenged. In the face of rising nationalistic aspirations and demands for control of and benefit from their own resources, French multinational companies, which hitherto enjoyed a privileged position, have been forced to either establish partnerships with local companies or move out to other African countries.