**The French-promoting Francophonie, the CFA franc and France's steady military presence is textbook neo-colonialism.** French presence in Africa goes as far back as the [17th century](https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199846733/obo-9780199846733-0029.xml). Although the former African colonies gained formal independence from France during the 1960s, there is still evidence that France continues to dominate these countries politically, economically, and militarily: • _Politically_: The Francophonie is an international organisation which represents all French-speaking nations. Whilst it aims to promote the political, economic, and cultural advancement of the former colonies, it has been criticised for its [overpromotion of the French language](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/19/emmanuel-macron-challenged-over-attitude-to-frances-former-colonies) and its [downplaying of colonial history](https://africasacountry.com/2020/09/the-specter-of-neocolonialism). • _Economically_: In 1945, Francophone Africa was made to sign an agreement to use the [CFA franc](https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/africaatlse/2017/07/12/the-cfa-franc-french-monetary-imperialism-in-africa/) as their currency. The supposed benefits of this agreement are that the exchange rate between the euro and the CFA franc remain the same, and that unlimited convertibility is guaranteed. However, the states are also required to deposit **50%** of their foreign exchange reserves into the Bank of France. • _Militarily_: France has a very prominent military presence in Africa. However, the country has been accused of only acting when certain forces threaten their influence in the country. For example, one could contrast [France’s work to fight militants in North Africa](https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/french-military-presence-in-africas-sahel-a-fiasco/1965919 where numerous French firms are based to its [failure](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57270099) to prevent the 1994 Rwandan genocide.