The 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), held from September 4 to 6, 2024, marked another chapter in China’s deepening relations with African nations. This summit, hosted in Beijing, was designed to strengthen cooperation across various sectors, but one area that has raised particular concerns is the intersection of digital governance, freedom of expression, and human rights in Africa. Despite China’s promotion of its growing investment in infrastructure and technology, critics are concerned about the implications for freedom of expression and privacy on the continent, given China’s track record in digital governance.
China has long utilized FOCAC as a platform to showcase its influence in Africa, and this year’s summit was no different. Among the key areas of focus were cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and the development of digital norms, all tied to China’s broader efforts to establish itself as a leader in global digital governance. However, these efforts come with significant concerns about potential human rights violations, particularly in terms of freedom of expression and privacy.
China’s Expanding Digital Influence in Africa
China is already Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest bilateral trading partner, with a trade volume of $282 billion USD in 2023, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Over the last decade, this partnership has expanded beyond traditional infrastructure projects to include digital development under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China’s Digital Silk Road, a subset of the BRI, has further solidified its role in shaping Africa’s digital landscape.
At the 2024 FOCAC, China pledged $51 billion USD in funding over the next three years, continuing its investment in Africa’s digital infrastructure. While this is an increase from 2021’s $40 billion USD, it remains lower than the $60 billion USD committed in 2018. In line with President Xi Jinping’s vision of focusing on “small but smart” projects, China has shifted its approach from large-scale infrastructure to smaller initiatives in areas like green technology and AI.
While these developments may offer opportunities for technological advancement in Africa, they also carry risks. China’s model of digital governance is characterized by state control, surveillance, and censorship, raising concerns that African nations adopting Chinese technologies could inadvertently erode free speech and privacy rights.
Digital Governance and Human Rights Concerns
A key concern emerging from FOCAC 2024 is China’s influence on digital governance in Africa. Beijing’s emphasis on cybersecurity, AI, and data sovereignty reflects its broader goal of exporting an authoritarian model of internet governance, where state control supersedes individual rights. The term “digital sovereignty,” introduced by China over a decade ago, reflects a governance model that allows nations to control and regulate their internet spaces according to state interests. This model runs counter to global human rights norms, which prioritize multi-stakeholder internet governance and uphold freedom of expression.
One of the documents guiding China-Africa digital cooperation is the “Initiative on Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace,” introduced by Xi Jinping in 2015. This framework promotes China’s version of internet governance, where the state has significant control over the digital space. Critics warn that this model undermines the universality of human rights in favor of a more authoritarian structure that stifles dissent and restricts free expression.
The potential for mass surveillance is another significant concern. China has already deployed sophisticated AI-driven surveillance technologies domestically, particularly in Xinjiang and Tibet, where these systems are used to monitor and control minority populations. If these technologies are exported to African nations, they could be used to suppress political opposition and curtail civil liberties.
Media and Information Control
Another area of focus at the 2024 FOCAC summit was media cooperation. China has pledged to deepen its media partnerships with African nations, ostensibly to promote mutual understanding and strengthen the narrative of China-Africa cooperation. However, this move raises red flags about potential information manipulation and media control.
China’s strategy of “telling China’s story well” – a directive given by Xi Jinping in 2013 – involves shaping international narratives in favor of the Chinese government’s policies and values. This propaganda effort extends to Africa, where China has invested in media training programs and encouraged African media outlets to join the Belt and Road News Network (BRNN), which is chaired by China’s Communist Party media outlet, the People’s Daily. By promoting pro-China narratives, these media initiatives could limit the space for critical journalism in Africa and contribute to the spread of state-controlled information.
The Role of Cybersecurity in Expanding China’s Influence
Cybersecurity cooperation between China and Africa is a critical area of concern. Under the 2024 FOCAC Action Plan, both parties agreed to enhance cybersecurity cooperation, including cross-border case studies, information sharing, and emergency response coordination. While cybersecurity is vital for protecting digital infrastructure, there are fears that China’s involvement may introduce surveillance backdoors, as seen in the African Union’s headquarters in Addis Ababa, which was built with Chinese support. In 2018, it was revealed that China had installed digital backdoors in the building, allowing sensitive data to be transferred to China for several years.
Increased cooperation on cybersecurity also positions China to normalize its practices in Africa. The Chinese government’s National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team (CNCERT), which is responsible for enforcing the Great Firewall and other censorship mechanisms, could export these tools and strategies to African nations under the guise of cybersecurity collaboration. This raises the prospect of African nations adopting more restrictive internet governance models that undermine freedom of expression and personal privacy.
The Future of China-Africa Cooperation
Moving forward, it is clear that China’s vision for its partnership with Africa prioritizes its own strategic goals, particularly in the digital space. The 2024 FOCAC Action Plan reflects China’s expanding ambitions to lead global rule-making in digital governance, which could result in the spread of its censorship and surveillance practices across the African continent.
While African nations stand to benefit from Chinese investments in infrastructure and technology, they must also be vigilant in safeguarding human rights. Independent monitoring and greater transparency are essential to ensuring that these partnerships do not come at the cost of freedom of expression and privacy. African nations must work to balance their digital development needs with their international human rights obligations, ensuring that cooperation with China does not lead to the erosion of democratic freedoms.
Conclusion
China’s growing influence in Africa, especially in the digital and media sectors, presents a complex challenge for the continent. While the cooperation outlined at FOCAC 2024 offers opportunities for technological advancement, it also carries significant risks. The adoption of China’s authoritarian digital governance model could undermine freedom of expression, stifle dissent, and restrict civil liberties across Africa. Therefore, it is crucial for African governments and civil society to engage in careful oversight, ensuring that human rights and transparency are not sacrificed in pursuit of development.
Cite this article as (APA format):
AR Managing Editor (2024). FOCAC 2024: China’s Expanding Digital Influence in Africa Raises Human Rights Concerns. Retrieved from https://www.africanresearchers.org/focac-2024-chinas-expanding-digital-influence-in-africa-raises-human-rights-concerns/