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The harmonisation of French accounting standards has directly influenced the harmonisation process in many countries during the last few decades. Its influence has been particularly market in the countries belonging to the OCAM (Organisation of the Community of African, Malgache and Mauritian countries). Following independence, France’s continued co-operation with the countries concerned especially in the area of the harmonisation of accounting standards has meant that the respective processes of standardisation cannot be studied in isolation. Indeed each move forward by a given party has built on experience gleaned from others. Analysis of the ground covered by the harmonisation of accounting standards quite clearly reveals the nature of France’s relations with the French-speaking countries of Africa and shows how these relations have evolved since independence.