Digital authoritarianism in Africa is evolving

Significance

However, the same digital technologies have provided illiberal governments with powerful means of controlling citizens and stifling dissent, making repression more pervasive and effective. Several repressive regimes in Africa are also renewing their toolkit for authoritarian controls to include both blunt and subtle tools.

Impacts

• Wealthier African economies will use Chinese surveillance and telecommunications technology to control online traffic.
• The Russian toolkit, which combines restrictive laws with pressure on tech firms, will appeal to cash-strapped African states.
• Telcos and tech firms face a worsening operating climate in large parts of Africa.