French billionaire ports tycoon Vincent Bollore has been charged as part of a probe by French police into alleged bribery, according to a source cited by the Bloomberg news agency.
But it has not yet been decided whether he will face trial, the source added.
Bollore, 66, had been held for questioning earlier this week in the probe into the possible use of bribes in two African countries to obtain port contracts from public officials.
In France, charges are announced before any decision on a trial, so that defence lawyers can see case files.
Bollore Group said Bollore "remains presumed innocent" and called the accusations unfounded.
It said the case relates to contract awards to operate container terminals in Lome, Togo, and Conakry, Guinea.
Bollore was released on Tuesday night.
