Huawei Under Scrutiny as Surveillance Technology Expands Across Africa

Reports accusing Huawei of assisting governments in Uganda and Zambia in spying on political opponents have reignited concerns about China’s growing influence in Africa’s digital sphere. According to the Wall Street Journal (2019), Huawei technicians allegedly helped Ugandan authorities hack the communication apps of opposition leader Bobi Wine and supported Zambian officials in tracking bloggers critical of the government. While Huawei and both governments deny these claims, the company’s deep involvement in Africa’s telecommunications infrastructure raises broader questions.

Huawei is estimated to provide up to 70% of Africa’s telecom networks, often financed through Chinese loans, making it a dominant force in the continent’s connectivity. Additionally, Huawei has been heavily involved in deploying surveillance systems under its “Safe City” initiative, including a $126 million facial recognition network installed in Uganda. Similar projects exist in Kenya, Botswana, Mauritius, and Zambia.

Critics argue this growth reflects China’s export of digital authoritarianism. NGOs like Freedom House accuse Chinese firms of promoting surveillance-based governance models, contributing to a global decline in internet freedoms. However, experts emphasize that China is not acting alone. Western companies such as the UK’s Gamma Group, Italy’s Hacking Team, and Israel’s NSO Group (backed by U.S. investors) have also supplied intrusive spyware—such as FinSpy and Pegasus—to African governments, which have reportedly used them to target journalists, activists, and opposition figures.

The global commercialization of surveillance technology is largely unregulated, enabling governments—especially authoritarian ones—to suppress dissent with little accountability. Human rights advocates, including UN Special Rapporteur David Kaye, warn that this unrestrained industry poses serious threats to privacy, freedom of expression, and democratic governance worldwide.