BRIGHTON, UK, March 17 (IPS) – A massive expansion of AI-enabled surveillance of public spaces across Africa is violating citizens’ freedoms and the fundamental human right to privacy, warns a new report by the Institute of Development Studies.
African governments are paying billions of dollars to Chinese companies for so-called ‘smart city’ products for public space surveillance – including AI-enabled CCTV and control centres – with at least US$2 billion spent to date by the 11 African countries studied in the report.
The researchers stress that these sophisticated mass surveillance products are being rolled out across Africa without the robust legal frameworks needed to protect human rights. They warn that this lack of protection, coupled with the increased capacity and scale of the smart city mass surveillance leaves government critics, such as the political opposition and independent journalists, at high risk of being tracked and targeted by the state.
The report cites concerns across each of the countries studied. For example, in Zimbabwe, specific groups and government critics fear that facial recognition technologies are used to target them. In Mozambique, research finds that the smart CCTV cameras have been deployed in locations where political opposition is concentrated.
Nigeria is Africa’s largest consumer of Chinese mass surveillance technology, with over US$470 million to date spent on facial recognition and automatic car number plate recognition (ANPR). Mauritius was the second largest buyer out of the 11 African countries studied, spending US$456m, and Kenya the third largest with a spend of US$219m on smart city surveillance technology.
The research reveals that while several countries, including Korea, Israel and the USA, supply public space surveillance technologies, the vast majority of the mass smart city surveillance products used across Africa are supplied and funded by Chinese companies.
Dr Tony Roberts, independent digital rights researcher and co-author of the report, says: “Our new research shows that the rapid growth of smart city surveillance in Africa is occurring without adequate legal regulation or oversight. Unregulated surveillance creates a chilling effect that inhibits the right to peaceful protest and reduces the freedom to speak truth to power and hold governments to account.”
“Digital surveillance of terrorists and the most serious criminals can be justified in the public interest, but installing thousands of smart CCTV cameras for the mass surveillance of all citizens – suspected of no crime – violates important human rights.”
The report details that mass surveillance of public space via smart city technology is being introduced across Africa under the pretence of preventing terrorism or crime, but the researchers found no compelling evidence that the imposing of smart surveillance has led to any reduction in terrorism or serious crime. They also found mass surveillance of public space using smart city technology being used even in countries like Zambia and Senegal that have no terrorist threat or serious crime challenges.
Wairagala Wakabi, Executive Director, CIPESA and co-author of the report, said: “These so-called ‘smart city’ surveillance products are anything but smart for those at risk of being tracked and targeted by them.
“This large scale and invasive AI-enabled surveillance of public spaces is not ‘legal, necessary or proportionate’ to the legitimate aim of providing security. Instead, history shows us that this is the latest tool used by governments to invade the privacy of citizens and stifle freedom of movement and expression.”
“The recording, analysing, and retaining of facial images of individuals in public spaces without their consent interferes with their right to privacy. We need governments to be fully transparent about their procurement and use of smart city technology and ensure that the impacts on human rights have been fully assessed and shared with the public.”
The report was authored by researchers from the African Digital Rights Network and provides the most comprehensive analysis of the use of ‘smart’ city technology in 11 African countries: Algeria, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Footnote:
At least US$2 billion expenditure on facial recognition and car tracking technologies in 11 countries. The real total is certainly higher because (1) surveillance spending is often secret; (2) no figures were available for two of the 11 countries studied; (3) the public accounts for the other nine countries were incomplete; and (4) this study included only 11 of Africa’s 55 countries.
The African Digital Rights Network is a network of 50 activists, analysts and academics from 20 African countries who are focused on the study of digital citizenship, surveillance and disinformation. It is convened by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS). For further information visit www.africandigitalrightsnetwork.org
The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) delivers world-class research, learning and teaching that transforms the knowledge, action and leadership needed for more equitable and sustainable development globally. IDS, in partnership with the University of Sussex, has been named best in the world for Development Studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 for the ninth year in a row.
IPS UN Bureau
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