Espionage through the technology supply chain, as revealed at the African Union (AU) in Ethiopia, highlighted the dangers of dependence on foreign technologies.
For five years, data was transferred from the African Union (AU) to spy systems in China using equipment provided by Chinese companies. The Chinese government denies the allegations, but the incident has highlighted the need for increased security in technology supply chains.
Read more: Chinese cyber espionage targets telecom operators in Asia from 2021
According to Nate Allen, a professor at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, many African countries are seeking to gain greater control over their technology supply chains. The security of these chains is a global issue, as demonstrated by the WannaCry, NotPetya and SolarWinds, which highlighted the vulnerability of these systems. African countries are expressing concerns about technology from China, Russia, the US and Europe, while also recognizing the need to invest in local solutions.
Despite these efforts, the African market is still dominated by technologies originating from China and the United States. In 2023, 36% of the top apps in Africa were developed by Chinese companies, while 23% were owned by American companies, with only seven apps created by African developers. Nevertheless, the local technology market is growing, offering opportunities for greater autonomy and adaptation to the needs of the region.
African countries need to reduce their dependence by strengthening local software and skills development, as well as improving the security of open source software (OSS). Foreign companies operating in Africa need to address cybersecurity concerns by offering local support and understanding the political and economic specificities of each region.
See more: Tropic Trooper hackers target government agencies
The future requires diversification and competition in the technology market, allowing African governments to reduce risks from foreign influence and gain greater control over the technology they use.
Source: darkreading
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