THE BILLIONAIRE
PROFITING FROM YOUR PLAYLISTS
ACCUSED OF BRIBERY, MONEY LAUNDERING, SEXUAL EXPLOITATION & ENVIRONMENTAL DESTRUCTION
Every time you stream a song by Ariana Grande, Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, and thousands of other Universal Music Group artists, you're lining Vincent Bolloré’s pockets – a French billionaire whose business practices have been the subject of serious accusations by governments, human rights groups, and NGOs — including bribery, money laundering, land theft, environmental destruction, sexual exploitation, and human rights abuses across Africa.​
These are not just accusations, Bolloré himself has admitted guilt in a bribery scandal involving two African Presidents to secure lucrative contracts.
He is just one prominent example of unchecked power. The Global Billionaire Accountability Project is fighting to expose dirty money – the use of exploitative and unlawful behavior among the world’s billionaire oligarchs to amass wealth — and hold them accountable.
You should, too.
Demand Bolloré divest his Universal Music Group shares
"The French Rupert Murdoch" "Boa Constrictor"
Media tycoon who bankrolled Taylor Swift, Rihanna sued for corruption and money laundering in Africa
NGOs file suit accusing billionaire Vincent Bolloré of being at heart of African 'system of corruption'
Who is VINCENT BOLLORÉ
Fortune Built on Alleged Corruption, Money Laundering, and Theft
Amidst allegations of intimidation and political interference, the Bolloré Group expanded into African port operations.
Officials became suspicious when two African presidential candidates won and Bolloré’s company landed lucrative port deals – to keep building his fortunes. Bolloré was subsequently detained and pleaded guilty.
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Bolloré then sold his logistics operations in Africa for a staggering $6.4 billion.
Female Planation Worker
It’s a slavery job,
and when it’s time to pay me, you [harass me]? … Up to now I have still not received my money.
"
Accusations of Stealing Land, Human Rights Abuses, and Sexual Assault Under his Watch
Bolloré’s empire includes rubber and palm oil plantations that have been accused of stealing from African communities, environmental damage, and human rights violations.
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An investigation into Bolloré’s plantations found:
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Credible allegations of sexual harassment
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Reports of women facing retaliation for not engaging in sexual acts, including being fired, denied work, or denied pay
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Confirmed reports of rape and sexual harassment of women by plantation employees
What We Know – Sexual Predator and Far-Right Propaganda on Bolloré Media Outlets
Bolloré is known as the “French Rupert Murdoch” and created the “Fox News of France” where on-air hosts attack child migrants as “thieves, murderers and rapists.”
Under Bolloré leadership, a since convicted sexual predator – found guilty of corruption of minors and sexual harassment – was kept on the air with his own show despite formal investigation. When employees voiced opposition they were told they could leave.
Bolloré’s media networks are now echoing Vladimir Putin’s talking points by sharing Moscow propaganda and pushing pro-Russia content.
Liberian communities protested a plantation owned by Socfin — of which the Bolloré Group is one of the two main owners — for land grabbing, forced evictions, water pollution, sexual abuse, and the destruction of ancestral graves and sacred sites.
Communities in Sierra Leone and Cameroon claimed to have suffered water shortages due to contamination caused by plantations leaking chemicals into rivers, lakes, and lagoons.
The report noted that the Socfin-run plantation failed to make commitments to prevent deforestation — standing apart from major companies like Nestle and L’Oreal that have pledged to reduce their environmental impact.
Reports of Environmental Damage and Water Pollution in Africa
SOCFIN’s plantations in Africa:
many places of violence and destruction
Vincent Bolloré is the Largest shareholder of Universal Music Group, the biggest music company in the world — with 28% of shares
