The Evolution of France’s Influence in Africa: From Military Dominance to Soft Power Strategies

Department of Research, Studies and International News 07-02-2025

As France’s Military Presence Fades, Can Its Cultural and Economic Influence Sustain Its Role in Africa?

For decades, France maintained a significant military foothold in Africa, particularly in its former colonies across West and Central Africa. However, recent geopolitical shifts have forced Paris to withdraw its troops from several key nations. The latest chapter in this ongoing retreat unfolded as French soldiers completed their withdrawal from Chad, adhering to a January 31 deadline. This marks yet another significant setback for France’s once-formidable military presence in the region.

The decision by N’Djamena to sever ties with Paris in December and terminate a longstanding military agreement resulted in the departure of 1,000 French troops from Chad. Given Chad’s strategic location—bordering conflict-ridden Libya and serving as a key base for counterterrorism operations in the Sahel—the French withdrawal signals a substantial reconfiguration of regional security dynamics. This move follows a broader trend in which former French colonies have distanced themselves from Paris, citing grievances over historical interference in their domestic affairs.

The shift is most evident in the Sahel region, where military-led governments in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali have expelled French forces, totaling approximately 4,000 troops. In their place, Russian military personnel have been welcomed, signaling a realignment of strategic partnerships. The trend has extended beyond the Sahel, with nations such as Chad, Senegal, and Ivory Coast also reassessing their ties with France.

According to Beverly Ochieng, a security analyst at Control Risks, this shift is fundamentally about reclaiming sovereignty. “When a foreign military force is stationed in a country, it inherently compromises that nation’s autonomy. These governments see the removal of French troops as an essential step toward reclaiming full control over their affairs,”.

Anti-French sentiments have simmered across Francophone Africa since the colonial era, but in recent years, these grievances have intensified. Public protests, stretching from Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire to Niamey in Niger, have highlighted widespread frustrations over France’s perceived meddling in political affairs, election processes, and national security. Despite the closure of military bases, however, France’s influence remains deeply embedded in these nations—manifesting through language, economic structures, and cultural institutions.

The French Language: A Pillar of Influence

Among the most enduring elements of France’s soft power in Africa is the French language. By 2022, nearly half of the world’s 300 million French speakers resided on the African continent, according to the Organisation of French-Speaking Countries. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), for instance, has more French speakers than any country besides France itself.

Over time, many African nations have adapted the rigid grammatical structures of French to suit local linguistic needs. In Cameroon, where both French and English hold official status, a unique blend of the two languages has emerged, with phrases like tu go où, meaning “where are you going?” becoming common in everyday speech.

However, standard French remains the language of governance, media, and education across most Francophone nations. Even in Mali, where the ruling military government officially downgraded French to a non-official status in August 2023, the language continues to dominate administrative and professional communication.

Recognizing the significance of language as a vehicle of influence, French President Emmanuel Macron has actively promoted French linguistic expansion. In 2018, he launched an initiative to provide French language education across African cities. Addressing students in Burkina Faso that same year, Macron boldly declared that French would become “the number-one language in Africa … and maybe even the world.”

This linguistic influence extends beyond Francophone nations. In English-speaking countries like Nigeria, for example, elite private schools often emphasize French proficiency as a valuable asset, attracting parents eager to provide their children with a competitive edge.

Yet, efforts to diminish France’s linguistic hegemony are gaining traction. In Senegal, newly elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has taken steps to elevate local languages alongside French. His official speeches now incorporate Wolof, the country’s dominant language, alongside French—a symbolic move toward cultural reclamation. Additionally, his administration has launched an initiative to rename streets, bridges, and public squares, many of which still bear colonial-era French names.

According to Ferdinand De Jong, a researcher at the University of East Anglia, such actions are crucial for breaking away from colonial legacies. “This is part of a broader decolonization process that seeks to restore self-respect and heal the psychological scars of colonial rule,” De Jong explained.

Economic Ties: The CFA Currency and French Corporate Interests

Beyond language, France’s economic influence remains deeply entrenched in Africa, particularly through French-owned businesses and the controversial CFA currency system.

Major French corporations continue to dominate key industries across Francophone Africa. Supermarket chain Auchan, mobile network operators, and energy giant Orano (formerly Areva) maintain significant operations, despite growing hostility toward French enterprises. Anti-French protests have increasingly targeted these businesses, but none have signaled any intention to exit the region.

At the heart of France’s economic leverage is the CFA franc, a currency used by 14 West and Central African nations. Established in 1945 during the colonial era, the CFA franc was originally named the franc of the French colonies of Africa, reflecting France’s intent to maintain financial control over its territories. Though its name has since changed to the franc of the African Financial Community, the system remains largely intact.

While proponents argue that the CFA provides economic stability by curbing inflation, critics contend that its rigid structure stifles growth. A key point of contention is that member nations must deposit 50% of their foreign reserves into the French Treasury to maintain the CFA’s peg to the euro. Many African economists and political leaders have condemned the arrangement as a neocolonial mechanism that restricts economic autonomy.

Former Chadian President Idriss Déby was among the most vocal critics. In a 2015 independence anniversary speech, he called for breaking financial dependence on France, stating, “We must have the courage to acknowledge that there is a cord preventing Africa’s development, one that must be severed.”

Despite such rhetoric, no African country has formally exited the CFA zone. Even military-led governments that have expelled French troops continue to use the currency.

In Senegal, President Faye campaigned on promises to abandon the CFA and disengage from Western financial institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). However, since taking office, his administration has maintained close relations with these institutions, leading some analysts to question whether economic dependence on France is too entrenched to be undone.

“There was strong anti-CFA rhetoric during the campaign, but the issue has quietly been sidelined,” noted Mahmoud Ba, an international relations professor at Cornell University. “The Senegalese government has also maintained strong ties with the IMF and World Bank, despite prior criticisms.”

France’s Strategic Adaptation: Shifting Alliances and Future Outlook

In response to Africa’s shifting geopolitical landscape, France has recalibrated its foreign policy approach. A new Africa strategy, unveiled in late 2024, outlines a reduced military presence in nations where French troops remain, such as Gabon. President Macron’s special envoy to Africa, Jean-Marie Bockel, described the approach as an effort to “scale back visible military involvement while maintaining logistical, material, and diplomatic access.”

Simultaneously, France is strengthening ties with non-Francophone African nations, particularly those without deep-rooted grievances against its colonial past. Nigeria and Kenya, both former British colonies, have emerged as key partners. In December 2024, Macron hosted Nigerian President Ahmed Tinubu, even delivering part of his welcome address in Nigerian Pidgin English—an apparent effort to connect with West Africa’s largest economy on more equal footing.

As France’s military presence continues to fade, its ability to maintain influence through soft power—linguistic, economic, and cultural—will determine the extent to which it remains a dominant force in Africa. However, the growing calls for sovereignty and economic independence suggest that the future of Franco-African relations will be anything but predictable.