AI-Powered Surveillance Expands Across Africa, Raising Human Rights Concerns

A rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled surveillance systems across Africa is raising significant concerns about violations of citizens’ freedoms and the fundamental right to privacy, according to a new report by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS).

Billions Spent on ‘Smart City’ Technology

African governments have spent at least $2 billion on “smart city” products for public space surveillance, including AI-enabled CCTV and control centers, according to the IDS report. The study examined 11 African countries – Algeria, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – and found that the majority of this technology is supplied and funded by Chinese companies.

Lack of Legal Frameworks Fuels Concerns

Researchers stress that the rollout of these sophisticated surveillance systems is occurring without the robust legal frameworks needed to protect human rights. This lack of protection, combined with the increased capacity and scale of the surveillance, puts government critics – including political opposition and independent journalists – at high risk of being tracked and targeted by the state.

Targeting of Dissidents and Political Opponents

The report highlights specific concerns in several countries:

• Zimbabwe: Government critics fear facial recognition technologies are being used to target them.
• Mozambique: Smart CCTV cameras have been deployed in areas where political opposition is concentrated.

Nigeria Leads in Surveillance Spending

Nigeria is the largest consumer of Chinese mass surveillance technology in Africa, having spent over $470 million on facial recognition and automatic car number plate recognition (ANPR) systems. Mauritius follows with $456 million, and Kenya with $219 million.

Concerns Over Justification and Effectiveness

While governments often justify the implementation of these systems under the guise of preventing terrorism or crime, researchers found no compelling evidence that smart surveillance has led to a reduction in either. Mass surveillance is even being implemented in countries like Zambia and Senegal, which do not face significant terrorist threats or high crime rates.

Chilling Effect on Freedom of Expression

Dr. Tony Roberts, an independent digital rights researcher and co-author of the report, warns that unregulated surveillance creates a “chilling effect” that inhibits the right to peaceful protest and reduces the freedom to speak truth to power. Wairagala Wakabi, Executive Director of CIPESA and also a co-author, stated that these “smart city” surveillance products are “anything but smart” for those at risk of being tracked and targeted.

Call for Transparency and Accountability

The report calls for governments to be fully transparent about their procurement and use of smart city technology and to ensure that the impacts on human rights are fully assessed and shared with the public. The researchers emphasize that the recording, analyzing, and retaining of facial images without consent interferes with the right to privacy.

The Role of Chinese Companies

While companies in Korea, Israel, and the USA also supply public space surveillance technologies, Chinese companies dominate the market in Africa, providing the vast majority of the mass smart city surveillance products.

Source: Institute of Development Studies, UK https://www.ids.ac.uk/news/smart-city-surveillance-tech-across-africa/

Source: Inter Press Service https://www.globalissues.org/news/2026/03/17/42569

Source: The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/mar/12/invasive-ai-led-mass-surveillance-in-africa-violating-freedoms-warn-experts

Source: Europesays https://www.europesays.com/africa/130311/