Crime-fighting aerial surveillance technology involving law enforcement agencies in Cape Town during a staged joint search, rescue and car chase scenario. The potential of technology to strengthen security on the Continent is vast, but while these technologies are intended to enhance security, they can also be misused for political repression, both safeguarding but also violating human rights, the writer says. Picture: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
By Michlene Mongae
The rapid advancement of technology has had a profound impact on global security dynamics, with Africa being no exception. The increase in internet connectivity across Africa has facilitated economic growth and improved access to information sharing, however, it has also led to a significant rise in cyber-related crimes.
These activities can disrupt critical infrastructure and financial systems, undermining security, stability, and government operations. Investment in cybersecurity technologies and expertise is crucial in protecting against cyber threats. Robust cybersecurity measures can safeguard critical systems, sensitive data, and national interests from cyber-attacks.
This article explores the dual-edged nature of technology in the context of Africa’s security, addressing how it can both mitigate and exacerbate security challenges. The discussion examines the role of technology in cybercrime, trafficking, and counterfeit goods, as well as its potential to strengthen security through surveillance, communication, information sharing, and cybersecurity measures. It further examines both successes and pitfalls of technology in the national security context.
The increasing availability of surveillance technology in Africa has been driven by an influx of foreign technology, often funded by soft loans primarily from China. Additionally, private cyber security and surveillance companies from countries such as Israel, the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy have been actively involved in providing advanced monitoring solutions across Africa.
This international involvement raises important considerations about the implications for privacy and political dynamics on the Continent. The Human Rights Report in Ethiopia highlights the complexities of using surveillance technologies in Africa.
While these technologies are intended to enhance security, they can also be misused for political repression. This dual-use nature of technology poses significant ethical dilemmas, as it can both safeguard and violate human rights.
Furthermore, some African governments allocate substantial funds to survey their citizens. They utilise mobile phone data, social media monitoring, and advanced spyware to influence public discourse, potentially undermining democratic principles.
This practice underscores the tension between enhancing state security and maintaining personal freedoms, highlighting the broader security challenges across the Continent. According to a report by the Institute of Development Studies, the supply and deployment of surveillance technologies to African countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco, Malawi and Zambia emphasise the strategic, and often controversial, role these technologies play in national security and democracy.
While these measures have improved security, they have also raised significant concerns about privacy and political repression. The state’s deployment of sophisticated surveillance tools often lacks transparency and accountability, resulting in abuse of power and the violation of civil liberties.
In Nigeria, for instance, surveillance technologies have been used extensively to monitor urban centres and critical infrastructure. While these measures have improved security, they have also raised significant concerns about privacy and political repression.
The state’s deployment of sophisticated surveillance tools often lacks transparency and accountability, resulting in abuse of power and the violation of civil liberties. These examples underscore the ethical and practical challenges in balancing security needs with democratic principles.
Surveillance technologies are often deployed without adequate legal frameworks, leading to abuse. Mass and unlawful targeted communication surveillance compromises the democratic process by creating an atmosphere of fear and suppression, which is detrimental to public discourse and the democratic ethos.
The African Union (AU) African Commission on Human Rights and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) highlights the need to regulate the deployment of surveillance technologies to prevent mass and unlawful targeted communication surveillance, often leading to human rights violations. The Commission’s resolution calls for African states to ensure that any surveillance measures are proportionate and subject to adequate safeguards, including judicial oversight and transparency.
The AU has played a significant role in promoting the use of technology to enhance peacebuilding and security across the Continent. One of the key initiatives is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) digital trade protocol.
This protocol aims to facilitate digital trade across Africa by addressing key issues such as data protection, cybersecurity, and cross-border data flows. By creating a unified digital market, the AU aims to promote economic integration, enhance trade efficiency, and support the Continent’s digital transformation.
The AfCFTA trade protocol emphasises the importance of digital infrastructure development and capacity building to ensure that all African countries can participate in the digital economy. This includes investment in broadband connectivity, digital skills training, and the establishment of regulatory frameworks to protect consumers and businesses in the digital space.
By addressing these challenges, the AU aims to create a more inclusive secure digital environment that supports economic growth and development across the Continent. Advanced data analytics can optimise the allocation of resources for peacebuilding and development by analysing data on pollution levels, economic conditions and resource availability.
Governments and organisations can make informed decisions and where to focus their effort, improving efficiency. For instance, in Kenya, mobile technology platforms such as M-Pesa have revolutionised financial transactions and enhanced transparency, reducing the prevalence of cash-based crime and corruption.
Enhancing digital infrastructure and skills not only boosts economic growth but also strengthens national security by creating robust and resilient communication networks, improving cybersecurity defence, and fostering technological innovation that can be leveraged for surveillance, intelligence, and defence operations.
Additionally, the AU’s digital for Africa (2020-2030) outlines a framework for harnessing digital technologies to drive sustainable development. This strategy focuses on four pillars: infrastructure development, digital skills and human capacity, digital innovation and entrepreneurship, and policy regulatory frameworks.
By aligning these pillars with the AfCFTA trade protocol, the AU aims to create a cohesive and integrated approach to digital transformation that benefits all member states. The alignment of these strategies with national security objectives is crucial.
Enhancing digital infrastructure and skills not only boosts economic growth but also strengthens national security by creating robust and resilient communication networks, improving cybersecurity defence, and fostering technological innovation that can be leveraged for surveillance, intelligence, and defence operations.
This approach ensures that technological advancements contribute to economic stability and national security, addressing potential vulnerabilities and enhancing the overall security landscape in African nations.
The role of technology in Africa’s security landscape is multifaceted and complex. While it has the potential to enhance security measures and support peacebuilding efforts, it also poses significant risks, particularly concerning cybercrime and political repression.
A balanced approach that maximises the benefits of technological advancements while mitigating their risks is essential for enhancing both economic growth and national security in Africa.
The AU’s initiatives, including the AfCFTA digital trade protocol and the digital transformation strategy, provide a robust framework for contributing towards achieving this balance, ensuring that technological advances contribute positively to the Continent’s development and security.
Michlene Mongae is a Researcher and MA candidate in Military Strategy at the University of Stellenbosch
This article was first published on ACCORD