A coalition of environmental and activist groups has launched a coordinated campaign accusing energy giant TotalEnergies of using its sponsorship of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to obscure its environmental and human rights record across the continent.
The initiative, spearheaded by Greenpeace Africa and the Magamba Network under the Kick Polluters Out Network, centers on satirical videos released this week. The first video, launched in English, features BAFTA-award-winning UK comedian Jolyon Rubinstein and Zimbabwean comedian Munashe Chirisa. A second version for Francophone Africa, produced by Journal Rappe, is scheduled for release on Friday.
The campaign directly challenges the alignment of a major international football tournament with a fossil fuel company. It argues that TotalEnergies’ sponsorship is a strategic effort to associate its brand with African pride and culture while continuing to pursue contentious projects.
“TotalEnergies isn’t sponsoring AFCON to support African football; they’re using the beauty of the game to hide the ugliness of their pollution,” said Trust, a campaigner with the Kick Polluters Out network, who was quoted in a campaign statement.
The campaign cites specific projects, including the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) stretching from Uganda to Tanzania, which has drawn criticism from environmental and human rights groups for potential displacement of communities and ecological damage. Campaigners label the company’s business model as “neo-colonial.”
In a statement provided by Greenpeace Africa, actor Jolyon Rubinstein said, “It’s a disgrace that at a time where 99% of climate scientists could not be clearer that Africa is tipping into a climate catastrophe, a neo-colonial fossil fuel giant can greenwash their image through one of the world’s most beloved football tournaments.”
The campaign emerges as TotalEnergies faces increased legal and regulatory scrutiny globally over its climate claims and expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure. Activists draw a parallel to the historical removal of tobacco sponsorships from sports, urging the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to adopt similar fossil-free sponsorship policies.
“AFCON should inspire hope, resilience, and solidarity, not serve as a billboard for climate destruction,” said Sherelee Odayar, Oil and Gas Campaigner at Greenpeace Africa.
The video launches form part of a broader mobilization targeting sports institutions, governments, and corporate sponsors. Campaigners assert that as Africa experiences intensifying climate impacts, including severe droughts and floods, permitting fossil fuel companies to leverage cultural symbols for reputation management is unacceptable.
TotalEnergies has previously stated its commitment to a transition to renewable energy and sustainable practices. The company has not yet issued a public response to this specific campaign.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has not commented on the activists’ calls to revise its sponsorship policy.
