https://en.sputniknews.africa/20260717/africa-risks-digital-colonialism-without-ai-sovereignty-senegalese-researcher-warns-1087586819.html
Africa Risks 'Digital Colonialism' Without AI Sovereignty, Senegalese Researcher Warns
Africa Risks 'Digital Colonialism' Without AI Sovereignty, Senegalese Researcher Warns
Sputnik Africa
As artificial intelligence spreads across Africa, experts are raising concerns that the continent could once again become a supplier of raw resources, this... 17.07.2026, Sputnik Africa
2026-07-17T16:03+0200
2026-07-17T16:03+0200
2026-07-17T16:03+0200
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Africa Risks 'Digital Colonialism' Without AI Sovereignty, Senegalese Researcher Warns
Sputnik Africa
As artificial intelligence spreads across Africa, experts are raising concerns that the continent could once again become a supplier of raw resources, this time in the form of data, knowledge and digital labour, unless it gains greater control over its AI ecosystem.
Governments across the continent are racing to attract global technology firms and develop national AI strategies, questions are growing over who owns the infrastructure, data and intellectual property powering Africa’s digital future. Global South Pole spoke with Dr. Seydina Moussa Ndiaye, Senior Lecturer and Researcher at the Université Numérique Cheikh Hamidou Kane in Senegal, about why Africa must move beyond being a consumer of artificial intelligence and become an equal partner in designing and governing the technology.Ndiaye argued that digital colonization is not about foreign investment itself but about unequal partnerships that leave Africa supplying data, talent and markets while ownership and decision-making remain elsewhere. He said the continent must strengthen its bargaining power, build local AI capacity and negotiate partnerships that create lasting value for African institutions.To listen to the whole discussion, tune in to the Global South Pole podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.In addition to the website, you can also catch our episodes on Telegram.► You can also listen to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, Castbox, Pocket Casts, Afripods, Podcast Addict, Overcast, and Mave Stream.► Check out all the episodes of Global South Pole
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podcasts, senegal, africa, artificial intelligence (ai), colonialism, neocolonialism, data, technology, digital technology , innovation, research, kenya, meta, аудио
podcasts, senegal, africa, artificial intelligence (ai), colonialism, neocolonialism, data, technology, digital technology , innovation, research, kenya, meta, аудио
Africa Risks 'Digital Colonialism' Without AI Sovereignty, Senegalese Researcher Warns
Aliyu Bello
Correspondent, Podcast Host
As artificial intelligence spreads across Africa, experts are raising concerns that the continent could once again become a supplier of raw resources, this time in the form of data, knowledge and digital labour, unless it gains greater control over its AI ecosystem.
Governments across the continent are racing to attract global technology firms and develop national AI strategies, questions are growing over who owns the infrastructure, data and intellectual property powering Africa’s digital future.
Global South Pole spoke with Dr. Seydina Moussa Ndiaye, Senior Lecturer and Researcher at the Université Numérique Cheikh Hamidou Kane in Senegal, about why Africa must move beyond being a consumer of artificial intelligence and become an equal partner in designing and governing the technology.
Ndiaye argued that digital colonization is not about foreign investment itself but about unequal partnerships that leave Africa supplying data, talent and markets while ownership and decision-making remain elsewhere. He said the continent must strengthen its bargaining power, build local AI capacity and negotiate partnerships that create lasting value for African institutions.
"The danger arises when African countries become permanent consumers and data suppliers rather than co-designers, producers and owners. Colonization historically involved control over resources, knowledge and the term of exchange. In the digital age, similar power can be exercised through control of compute, cloud infrastructure, foundational models, platforms, technical standards, and data flows," Dr. Ndiaye stressed.
To listen to the whole discussion, tune in to the
Global South Pole podcast, brought to you by
Sputnik Africa.In addition to the website, you can also catch our episodes on
Telegram.► Check out all the episodes of Global South Pole 
