Jeffrey Epstein cultivated close ties with West African political elites, forging a relationship with Karim Wade, son of former Senegalese president Abdoulaye Wade, and Nina Keita, niece of Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara – according to emails and financial records related to the convicted sex offender released by the United States government last month.

Epstein described Wade as “one of the most important players in Africa”.

The two met in 2010 and quickly developed a rapport. After their first meeting in Paris, Epstein wrote to Wade on 15 November, 2010: “Thanks for coming. I think there are many things to consider… I feel confident that we will have fun.”

“Have a safe trip back to your paradise Island,” Wade replied.

Epstein proposed that Karim Wade use his house in Florida, writing: “You and your family are welcome to use my house in Palm Beach. Staff is there, pool etc. You will not suffer.”

Epstein proposed that Karim Wade use his house in Florida, writing: “You and your family are welcome to use my house in Palm Beach. Staff is there, pool etc. You will not suffer.”

Other files suggest that Epstein covered at least $50,000 in fees for the US lobbying firm Nelson Mullins, which Wade’s entourage hired to secure his release.

When Epstein traveled to Abidjan and met Ouattara in 2012,[Nina] Keita booked him what she called the “ministerial suite” of the luxury Hotel Ivoire.

Ahead of the visit, Epstein had said he hoped to see “very pretty girls there, as well as interesting places”.

Keita, a former model, replied: “You will!”

Now the deputy general director of an Ivorian petroleum stocks company, Keita appears in a February 2019 will in which Epstein requested that debts owed to him by a number of people be cancelled upon his death.