A group of young activists in Harare has joined a continent-wide campaign demanding that TotalEnergies be removed from Africa.
The French energy giant, which sponsors the upcoming AFCON 2025 tournament, is accused of greenwashing while expanding fossil fuel projects across the continent.
More than 28 artists, students, and activists took part in Kick Polluters Out Campaign: Total Smackdown Teach-In, which aimed at raising awareness of the environmental and social impacts of fossil fuel projects in Africa.
The interactive session, which combines learning, creativity, and collective action, is part of the Africa Week of Action to Kick Total Out of Africa (18–24 August 2025), a continent-wide campaign against TotalEnergies’ fossil fuel operations and its sponsorship of AFCON 2025.
Magamba Network Kick Polluters Out Coordinator Trust Chikodzo said the campaign is not just about raising awareness, but also about exposing what he describes as the “true face” of TotalEnergies.
Chikodzo accused the French energy giant of profiting from Africa’s destruction while presenting itself as a partner in development.
“This is not only an opportunity to learn but also artivise and show solidarity, to unmask TotalEnergies for what it truly is, a profiteer of Africa’s destruction.”
He calls for TotalEnergies to be expelled from the continent and for Africa to shift towards renewable energy systems that are socially owned and controlled by communities, rather than multinational corporations.
“We must call for their expulsion and expropriation from our beloved continent, and shift towards socially owned renewable energy,” he added.
Kick Polluters Out Campaign Strategist Chloe McGrath provided participants with practical guidance on creative, non-violent activism.
“Artistic activism is peaceful and persuasive. Creative actions can be accessible and provide multiple avenues for engagement and fun.”
The gathering featured a screening of the Video on LNG (Liquified Natural Gas), which exposes how African leaders are often misled by fossil fuel companies. Participants then turned theory into action in a Do-It-Yourself session, co-creating a chalkboard mural, painting thrifted t-shirts spelling out “Kick Total Out Africa,” and making protest placards with bold messages.
Sustainable Development Advocate Natasha Malunga stressed that advocacy goes beyond laws, but as a means of ensuring communities have safe, fair and equitable access to land, resources and opportunities.
“Advocacy isn’t just about laws, it’s about ensuring communities have safe, fair and equitable access to land, resources and opportunities.”
Malunga also called on leaders to put citizens before profits and ensure communities benefit meaningfully from investment deals.
“We also should push our leaders to prioritize citizens over profits, protect communities and create spaces for participation. Every “deal” should equate to local people benefiting meaningfully from that investment, the conditions agreed to and what the locals agreed to should be part of the contract.”
She stressed that young people have a responsibility to use their voices and creativity to drive change, adding that when knowledge and action come together, communities grow stronger and more resilient.
“As youth, we have a responsibility to use our voices, creativity and platforms to drive change. When knowledge, creativity and action come together, communities grow stronger, more informed and resilient,” she added.
The event also included performances by spoken word artists, including Star and Bhanshee. Star performed her piece Total Enemies, moving the audience with a call to resistance, while Bhanshee later returned, chanting, “We must heal the world to make it the best place for you, for me, for us,” a call for constructive efforts to restore ecosystems, promote climate justice, and empower people to help shape a better, shared world.
The “Kick Polluters Out” campaign is taking place across Africa this week, and organisers say they will intensify demonstrations during AFCON. Africa faces a critical choice in its energy future as communities and youth push back against TotalEnergies’ fossil fuel projects, from EACOP to gas fields in Mozambique, Nigeria, and South Africa.
While these projects promise jobs and investment, they bring displacement, environmental risks, debt, and stranded asset concerns, with sponsorship of AFCON 2025 criticised as “greenwashing.”
Activists warn that fossil fuels extract wealth without ownership, hitting a continent that contributes little to global emissions but suffers most from climate impacts. The key challenge is whether Africa will remain dependent on fossil fuels or transition to renewable, community-owned energy for a more sustainable and equitable future.
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