French policy in Africa tends to be explained through the concept of bilateralism, however, in the present context of globalization, this kind of analysis appears in certain ways to have become obsolete. Conscious of these changes, French politicians have made an effort to develop new partners in Africa, either with non-french speaking countries or with regional organizations. This development is also marked by France’s participation the framework of different international institutions, formal and informal, like the European Union, the United Nations and the G8. Far from constituting a disengagement which would be harmful to Africa, this evolution permits the development of responsibility, a clearly beneficial process. – Summary AFRI-2001