Source: Article originally published on VOA News by Kate Bartlett on March 11, 2023.

By theAfricoder News Desk | Published on July 31, 2023

China’s increasing involvement in Africa’s digital landscape, known as the “Digital Silk Road,” is stirring conversations and concerns worldwide. The initiative is part of China’s grand Belt and Road Initiative and aims to enhance digital infrastructure across the continent.

Recent concerns emanate from the U.S. where lawmakers drafted a resolution criticizing South Africa’s close ties with Beijing, including the use of Chinese technology. The resolution urges President Joe Biden to reassess America’s relationship with Pretoria.

This move came as South Africa engaged in naval exercises with China and Russia in February 2023, sparking further tensions. Critics highlight the surveillance risks associated with Chinese telecommunications, although some suggest the responsibility to utilize technologies responsibly lies with individual governments.

The U.S. has already excluded Chinese tech giant Huawei, citing national security risks. However, across Africa, where less than 30% of the populace access the internet, China’s investment in digital infrastructure is welcomed due to lower costs, aided by Chinese government subsidies.

Among the entities of interest in the U.S. resolution are South African companies Vumacam and Telkom. Vumacam operates approximately 2,000 cameras in Johannesburg, employing technology aimed at curbing the city’s high crime rate. The concern arises from Vumacam’s partnership with Chinese company Hikvision, whose products were recently banned in the U.S. However, Vumacam maintains a firm focus on system security, noting that any hardware, regardless of origin, can be susceptible to penetration if not properly managed.

Telkom, a partly state-owned telecom operator, launched its 5G network in October 2022, utilizing technologies from Huawei. Yet, the U.S. faces a daunting challenge in vying for telecommunications influence in Africa. Huawei currently dominates the continent, owning up to 70% of all 4G networks.

China’s Digital Silk Road has raised spying concerns, with allegations of its technology being used by certain African governments to monitor opposition and critics. Despite these concerns, some argue that the perceived risk from Chinese tech in Africa is exaggerated, and attention should be paid to all players in the tech industry, including American and European firms.

Whether such technology is used to clamp down on opponents is not solely China’s responsibility, but also rests on the African governments that employ it. As the continent grapples with the promise and perils of technological advancements, all major global players must be held accountable for the potential misuse of tech in Africa.