Africa Faces Digital Colonisation Threat Amidst Widening Inequities
Africa stands at a critical juncture, facing the grave risk of “digital colonisation” if proactive measures are not swiftly implemented. This stark warning comes from Prof. Godfred Bokpin, a distinguished Economist and Finance Professor at the University of Ghana Business School. As global efforts to digitise cultural artefacts and historical heritage accelerate, Professor Bokpin highlights a concerning trend where the continent could continue to lose invaluable intellectual and economic benefits to the Global North. The crux of the challenge lies in the absence of robust national and continental policies that clearly define the ownership, accessibility, and beneficiaries of Africa’s increasingly digitised legacy.
The Urgency of Policy and Investment in Africa’s Digital Future
Professor Bokpin underscored that Africa has already forfeited the crucial “first-mover advantage” in the evolving digital landscape. This setback is largely attributed to insufficient investment in essential digitisation infrastructure, including the development of innovative applications and other emerging technologies, making it challenging for the continent to catch up with advanced nations. During a panel discussion centered on a draft Black Paper—a framework advocating for a decolonial Pan-African approach to transformation—he asserted that “the future is digital.” The digital economy, powered by apps and nascent technologies, is projected to outpace traditional economic sectors significantly. Furthermore, this digital shift is poised to fundamentally alter the labor market, with digitisation expected to replace various jobs. To mitigate these risks and harness the immense potential of the digital era, Professor Bokpin stresses the imperative for African nations to strategically invest in their digital infrastructure and develop comprehensive policies. These policies must safeguard the continent’s interests, ensuring equitable access, clear ownership, and fair distribution of benefits derived from its digital assets.
The call to action from Professor Bokpin is clear: without decisive and coordinated action, Africa risks not only the ongoing loss of its cultural and historical heritage but also its economic sovereignty in the digital age. Establishing a strong regulatory framework and fostering significant investment in local digital capabilities are not merely economic imperatives but vital steps towards preventing a new form of exploitation. Africa’s future prosperity and the preservation of its rich heritage depend on its ability to assert digital ownership and shape its own narrative in an increasingly interconnected world, ensuring that the digital revolution serves its people.
Keywords
Related Keywords: Africa digital colonisation, Digital colonialism Africa, African tech inequality, Digital divide Africa, Tech sovereignty Africa, Data colonialism Africa, Africa digital challenges, Internet inequality Africa, Digital rights Africa
