Convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein sought to expand his influence across Africa’s political and business elite before his death in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019, according to a report by Miami Herald.
The report says Epstein pursued a network of relationships on the continent aimed at building wealth, political leverage, and access to women, cultivating ties with high-level figures and leveraging his financial resources and global contacts.
One of the most prominent connections cited is with Karim Wade, the son of former Senegalese president Abdoulaye Wade. When Karim Wade faced corruption charges and imprisonment, Epstein reportedly offered significant support, including access to his Palm Beach mansion and funding for legal efforts. He is also said to have hired a major US law firm to lobby American officials on Wade’s behalf.
Following Wade’s release, Epstein wrote to him expressing enthusiasm about reconnecting, suggesting they could “share incarceration stories,” according to the report. Wade was later pardoned in 2016 after serving three years.
The report also details Epstein’s attempts to engage with Libya’s former leader Muammar Gaddafi around 2010. As Gaddafi’s grip on power weakened, Epstein reportedly shifted his attention toward opposition figures, indicating a pragmatic approach to maintaining influence regardless of political shifts.
In another instance, Epstein allegedly advised a Nigerian-born businessman involved in a mining deal impacted by US sanctions. During a 2018 meeting at his Palm Beach residence, he suggested structuring transactions in a way that could navigate restrictions by engaging with the US Treasury.
The report further highlights disturbing communications showing Epstein seeking women through international contacts. In emails, he expressed preferences regarding age and appearance, including requests involving women from South Africa. One contact referenced in the report is Nina Keita, described as a niece of Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara, through whom Epstein was introduced to additional networks.
His relationship with Karim Wade reportedly dates back to 2010 and included introductions to global financiers and hospitality at his properties. During Wade’s legal troubles, Epstein reassured him and his family of continued support, writing that they would “not suffer” during the ordeal.
The report paints a picture of Epstein leveraging wealth, legal backing, and elite connections in an effort to embed himself within influential circles across Africa while pursuing personal and financial interests.