BRICS+ Series: BRICS is Facilitating France's declining Colonial Grip on West Africa
Image: AFP
By 2025, the slow death of Françafrique, France's long-standing political, economic, and military dominance in West and Central Africa has evolved from a continental rejection into a strategic recalibration. Playing part of this transition is the rise of the BRICS bloc, now expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE with partner countries such as Nigeria, Uganda, Thailand, etc, which is rapidly becoming the primary force enabling African nations to break free from Paris' postcolonial shadow. Through financial alternatives, infrastructure investment, and political alignment, BRICS is steadily dismantling the pillars that once propped up French influence in West Africa.
France traditionally exerted influence in the region through elite political networks, military partnerships, and currency control, notably via the CFA franc. However, as France's credibility declines, BRICS nations have moved to fill this void with attractive alternatives. China, India, Russia, and newer BRICS+ members are now offering African countries different options for support, IMF-backed structural adjustment programs, and economic partnerships that are not exclusive.
From Military Expulsion to Security Realignment
France's military withdrawal has revealed the most significant weakness in the Françafrique system. After conducting security operations for years under Operation Barkhane, France was expelled from Mali (2022), Burkina Faso (2023), and Niger (2023). These three nations, now members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), have publicly sought security assistance from Russia. The Wagner Group initially, and later state-sponsored military training initiatives, largely supplanted the French presence. These agreements, despite their contentious nature, marked a turning point: France's monopoly on security in its former colonies was over.
BRICS, via its New Development Bank (NDB), offers West African nations like Senegal and Guinea an alternative to Western-controlled financial institutions by providing funding for infrastructure and energy projects by 2025. The NDB, headquartered in Shanghai, helps countries avoid political conditions often tied to IMF or AFD loans, fostering financial independence.
Challenging the CFA Franc with BRICS Alternatives
The CFA franc, historically representing French economic dominance in 14 African nations, faces diminishing influence due to BRICS-backed financial technologies. The 2024 piloting of BRICS Pay in Guinea and Togo aims to streamline cross-border transactions using local currencies, reducing reliance on SWIFT. Concurrently, BRICS nations are assisting the development of the ECOWAS common currency, the Eco.
Trade Diversification Beyond France
West Africa is experiencing a rapid diversification of its trade partnerships. While China remains the leading trading partner, countries like India, Brazil, and the UAE are significantly expanding their economic influence. This shift is highlighted by India's concessional oil agreements with Senegal, Russia's growing energy ties with Mali, and the UAE's strategic investments in West African ports and logistics. These developments signal a departure from France's historical extractive and monopolistic commercial dominance. Data from the African Development Bank (AfDB) reveals that BRICS nations now account for nearly 35% of West Africa's total trade, a substantial rise from 22% in 2015.
Senegal's Strategic Pivot Toward BRICS
President Faye of Senegal plans a strategic shift, re-evaluating military ties with France, seeking BRICS observer status, and collaborating with India and China on digital infrastructure and solar energy. This emphasis on sovereignty aligns with other BRICS-sympathetic African leaders who see the bloc as a balanced development path.
Redefining Postcolonial Independence in West Africa
France's cultural influence is declining. Its soft power, once strong through language, media, and education, is diminishing as younger generations favor English, Arabic, and local languages. Meanwhile, BRICS-supported media like RT and CGTN are gaining traction in Africa by offering alternative viewpoints, exemplified by CGTN Africa's 2024 French platform challenging France's perceived role as Africa's automatic partner.
France is attempting to rebrand its Africa policy, aiming to be seen as a development partner rather than a neocolonial power. However, these efforts are often undermined by widespread protests, youth activism, and the tangible investments made by BRICS nations. This has created friction in the decline of Françafrique. A 2024 Afrobarometer poll revealed that over 70% of respondents in Francophone West Africa held positive views of BRICS countries, while fewer than 30% trusted France to act in their nation's best interest.
BRICS's emergence is playing one of the major roles in the decline of Françafrique. By offering alternative financing, promoting trade diversification, fostering political solidarity, and encouraging technological cooperation, BRICS is enabling West African countries to redefine their interactions. The long-standing French dominance, once considered insurmountable, is now actively being dismantled. Should this trend persist, BRICS could not only surpass France in West Africa but also fundamentally reshape the meaning of postcolonial independence for the region.
Written by:
Dr Iqbal Survé
Past chairman of the BRICS Business Council and co-chairman of the BRICS Media Forum and the BRNN
*Sesona Mdlokovana
Associate at BRICS+ Consulting Group
African Specialist
** MORE ARTICLES ON OUR WEBSITEhttps://bricscg.com/
** Follow @brics_daily on X/Twitter & @brics_daily on Instagram for daily BRICS+ updates
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Local fashion designer looks to launch SA's first car brand
Skinny Sbu, who is best known for his fashionable sock line has made a move into the automative industry. Sbu has been working on a locally created and manufactured car brand since 2022. South Africa's century-old automotive sector is at the precipice of a definitive change. South Africa has enjoyed decades of production and assembly of globally created brands, but the country has never launched a commercially viable brand of its own. This is what Sbu hopes to address with his SSS car brand. In the commercial sense, no, but there are a few niche automotive brands from the country. For instance, Birkin Cars, known for producing Lotus-styled sports cars and has been doing so since the 1980s. There is also Bailey Cars, a brand the specialises in hand-built replicas usually for international markets. Finally, we also have Advanced Automotive Design (ADD) a boutique manufacturer who focus on futuristic looking concept cars. Sbu may very well have found himself an open lane with his SSS Cars. The Forbes 30-Under-30 honouree, made more than a few ripples in the fashion industry from very early on in his career with the launch of Skinny Sbu Socks. Sibusiso Ngwenya, or Sbu September as he has become affectionately known, saw his premium fashion brand earn international acclaim when he was featured on CNN. His socks were also included in a Grammy Awards gift bag in 2022. His socks have also found space on the shelves of large clothing franchises like The Foschini Group as well as Superbalist. News of his plans to launch SSS Cars garnered him praise from the highest office in the land, with President Cyril Ramaphosa commending his intentions. Sbu's automotive startup, SSS Cars, is looking to define what African luxury looks like on the roads. Since its inception in 2022, his company has quietly gone about creating its first lineup of premium vehicles. These are designed with a younger global demographic in mind, with a focus on style rather than legacy. The young visionary would like nothing more than for his cars to be as culturally impactful as his line of socks has been. SSS Cars is raising funding with a hefty amount needed to see this vision come to fruition. His dream is likely to cost upwards of R270 million, but this move should help put South Africa on the map as an automotive creator and not solely a renowned assembler. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
eNCA
2 hours ago
- eNCA
Thailand, Cambodia clash with jets and rockets in deadly border row
SISAKET PROVINCE - Thailand and Cambodia fought their bloodiest military clashes in more than a decade on Thursday, with at least 12 people killed as the two sides battled with tanks, artillery and ground forces over a disputed border zone. The fighting marks a dramatic escalation in a long-running spat over an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of both countries and Laos meet. The decades-old squabble flared into bloody clashes more than 15 years ago and again in May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a firefight. In Thursday's clashes, Cambodia fired rockets and artillery shells into Thailand and the Thai military scrambled F-16 jets to carry out air strikes. The Thai public health ministry said one soldier and at least 11 civilians were killed, most of them in a rocket strike near a petrol station in Sisaket province. Footage from the scene showed smoke pouring from a convenience store attached to the petrol station. Provincial officials said most of the dead were students inside the shop when the attack happened. "I heard a loud noise three or four times, and when I looked over, there was a gigantic cloud of smoke," Praphas Intaracheun, a 53-year-old gardener from Sisaket province, told AFP. He was was refuelling at another petrol station around 300 metres (984 feet) from the one that was hit. "I was absolutely shocked. This is the first time I've ever experienced anything like this," he said. "I'm scared it might escalate during the night when you can't see anything. I don't even dare sleep." The Thai public health ministry said 35 civilians have been wounded. - 'I don't even dare sleep' - AFP | STR Fighting was focused on six locations, the Thai army said, with ground troops and tanks battling Cambodian forces for control of territory. Six Thai air force jets were deployed, hitting two "Cambodian military targets on the ground", according to Thai military deputy spokesperson Ritcha Suksuwanon. Cambodia has not yet commented on casualties on its side. Defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata refused to answer when asked about the issue at a news conference. Both sides blame the other for starting the fighting, which erupted near two temples on the border. AFP | TANG CHHIN Sothy The Cambodian defence ministry said its forces had responded in self-defence against an "armed assault". Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to address what his foreign ministry labelled "unprovoked military aggression". Thailand's government, meanwhile, accused Cambodia of being "inhumane, brutal and war-hungry" and said all border crossings had been shut and nearby residents evacuated. The Thai military blamed Cambodian soldiers for firing first, and later accused them of a "targeted attack on civilians", saying two BM-21 rockets had hit a community in Surin province, wounding three people. Thailand's embassy in Phnom Penh urged its nationals to leave Cambodia "as soon as possible". China, a close ally of Cambodia, said it was "deeply concerned" about the clashes, calling for dialogue -- while urging its citizens in Cambodia to avoid the border with Thailand. - Long-running row - The violence came hours after Thailand expelled the Cambodian ambassador and recalled its own envoy after five members of a Thai military patrol were wounded by a landmine. Cambodia downgraded ties to "the lowest level" on Thursday, pulling out all but one of its diplomats and expelling their Thai equivalents from Phnom Penh. National Broadcasting Services of Thailand/AFP | A diplomatic call between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen, Cambodia's former longtime ruler and father of Hun Manet, was leaked from the Cambodian side, sparking a judicial investigation. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called on both sides to "stand down" and start talks. Malaysia currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which both Thailand and Cambodia are members.
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- The Citizen
‘Open our eyes and ears' – Ramaphosa on how to tackle US tariff hike on SA cars
In response to the incoming US tariffs, Ramaphosa said South Africa needs to look at other markets. South Africa will feel the wrath of the Trump administration as it stands firm on implementing the 30% tariff on exports to the United States (US). Other countries will also be affected by President Donald Trump's decision, as their export tariffs are increasing as well. In South Africa, the automotive sector will be significantly impacted, as some brands, such as Mercedes-Benz, export to the US. President Cyril Ramaphosa, speaking at the BMW plant in Rosslyn, Pretoria, on Thursday, highlighted that the automotive industry has a significant impact on the country's GDP, as it contributes 4.9%. ALSO READ: US tariff of 30% on SA exports: where to now? Ramaphosa on US tariffs BMW Group SA hosted an engagement to highlight its commitment to strengthening South Africa's economic vitality and advancing its industrial innovation. 'The tariffs from the US have turned the world upside down and are a huge threat to us as well because we export a lot of products to the US, such as vehicles, agricultural products and mineral products,' said Ramaphosa. During his keynote address, he added that SA is the 22nd largest car exporter in the world. Ramaphosa added that the US market is important to SA; however, it is time to diversify the country's export base and accelerate domestic value creation. 'As we face this threat of higher tariffs, we need to open our eyes and ears and see where else our vehicles can go.' SA government engaging on US tariffs Ramaphosa added that producers of some industries have already felt the pressure of the incoming US tariffs. He said the South African government is engaging with the US, and he hopes this will yield success in the coming days. 'We need to look at other markets, and being an African country, with an African continental free-trade, we have got to see how we open up the rest of the continent, because we have a very positive tariff-free opportunity with the rest.' He applauded BMW for exporting the new X3 to Europe. He said that exporting cars to other countries demonstrates trust in the skills South Africans possess and highlights the industry's potential. ALSO READ: Devastating impact of US tariffs on SA automotive sector even before implementation BMW Group South Africa invited President @CyrilRamaphosa to a showcase of the successful implementation of the latest investment for production of the new BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle at the automaker's plant at Rosslyn in Tshwane. — The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) July 24, 2025 BMW not affected by tariffs Danny Bester, BWM plant director, told The Citizen that they are not affected by the US tariffs, as they are not currently exporting to the country. 'Right now, we are not affected by the US tariffs because most of our volumes are going to other parts of the world, like Europe, Australia and New Zealand.' He added that they would like to have access to the American market. However, they have sent 16% of the current generation to the US. When asked if they will be looking into expanding in the future, Bester said BMW is aiming to build a new record volume by the end of the year. NOW READ: Mercedes-Benz halts production in Eastern Cape – Will employees be paid?
