China’s smart city initiatives in Africa have raised concerns about the potential for surveillance and authoritarianism. These initiatives, which include the transfer of smart city technology, have been welcomed by many African governments seeking to modernize their infrastructure. However, critics argue that this technology could be used to suppress dissent and undermine democratic institutions. The widespread adoption of Chinese telecommunications and surveillance systems in Africa also raises alarms about potential espionage risks.

The United States has reasons to worry about China’s smart city overtures in Africa, as they represent another tool in China’s expanding toolkit to court African allies. The expanding dominance of Chinese technology in African infrastructure increases the likelihood of Chinese standards becoming the norm, limiting market access for US companies. China’s smart city initiatives also raise concerns about data privacy and security, as well as the potential for debt dependency.