Financial slavery ? The CFA in Africa plus Q&A: African Odysseys

This event is organised by Black History Walks as part of 60 Years Since 1965 the first ever Race Relations Act, and 20 years of the African Odysseys film seriess in collaboration with the Centre for Visual Cultures, Royal Holloway, University of London

Watch trailer HERE

Can a country be truly independent if its currency is still controlled by its former colonial oppressors? In the 2022 documentary, MONEY, FREEDOM, A STORY OF THE CFA FRANC, director Katy Lnéa Ndiaye traces the history of a currency whose roots lie in compensation for slave owners. Originally used by countries in Central and West Africa, the currency was pegged to the French franc. While France publicly touted the CFA as a benefit to developing nations, it effectively robbed them of the ability to set their own monetary policy.

MONEY, FREEDOM, A STORY OF THE CFA FRANC features rich archival footage and a wealth of interviews with economists, former politicians (including finance ministers and a prime minister), bankers — and even a colonial administrator. They discuss the CFA franc in the context of a colonial system that not only destroyed local governance and economic structures, but continues to prevent West African nations from re-imagining an economy that benefits Africans first. And they explore the devastating effects of the currency’s devaluation and the IMF’s austerity programs in the mid-1990s, followed by its overnight dramatic strengthening less than a decade later, when it became tied to the Euro—with no input from Africans.

The tremendous advantages offered to France and the strict terms and conditions of the CFA Franc explain why the currency is referred to as a tool of “monetary servitude”, the “invisible tool of Francafrique” (in reference to France’s neocolonialism in Africa) or, in an absolute plain term, the “colonial currency”.

This rare film by will be followed by a short discussion on cinema, Francophone politics and Black history with James S. Williams Professor of Modern French Literature and Film from Royal Holloway University of London and Black History Walks.

This is a follow on event from the talk/film 6 African Leaders Removed by the French HERE. This is part of a series of events leading up to the Frantz Fanon weekender.

Other coming events from www.blackhistorywalks.co.uk

• Black History Steam train tour
• Black History Bus Tour/ River Cruise
• Hackney, Harlem, St Paul'/Bank, Theatreland and Soho Black History Walks
• African Odysseys, Racism in Academia and @BFI Southbank
• Ismahil Blagrove season of films and books
• Frantz Fanon weekender
• 60 years of Black British Civil Rights, racism @BFI with Professor Gus John
• Kung Fu and anti-racist street fighters with Professor Lez Henry
• World Wars and Black soldiers. African Odysseys @BFI with Professor Patrick Vernon
• 60 years of Black history Success Stories 1-20
• Sign petition to save African Odysseys and Black film history at BFI Southbank HERE

About African Odysseys

The volunteer-run, African Odysseys film programme screened monthly, popular, anti-racist, Black history films with Q&A's from 2007 to 2025 at the BFI. It regularly filled the Southbank 450 seater at 2pm on Saturdays when cinemas are typically 'dead'.The British Film Institute ignored a 17,500 strong petition to keep it HERE .Refused to answer 8 simple questions. Then cancelled the programme so they could 'cut costs and promote diversity' HERE

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