A Caution Against Emerging Digital-Industrial Complex in Africa - Nelson Otieno

In his  farewell Presidential Address in 1961, outgoing US President Dwight Eisenhower then warned about the dangers of the military-industrial complex. He acknowledged the necessity of collaboration between the US government, the military, and industry for national development. But he cautioned that the alliance was vulnerable to abuse. Eisenhower further expressed his concern that the military-industrial complex could gain undue influence, ultimately surpassing the traditional powers of the State.

Eisenhower’s warning has proven prescient. Over time, the military-industrial complex has evolved into a powerful force that, driven by profit motives, plays a significant role in perpetuating global conflicts and wars.

Today, in this digital age, Eisenhower’s speech resonates once again, but with a modern twist — ushering in the rise of what I term the “digital industrial complex.” As we witness the increasing convergence of technology, industry, and government, especially in Africa, there is an urgent need for caution. This complex has the potential to shape the digitalization agenda across the continent, influencing policies and projects in ways that may not always serve the public interest.

In contrast to military establishments that are primarily concentrated in developed economies, the digital industrial complex has a far-reaching impact — even in developing nations. In Africa, where resources are limited, people’s vulnerability to such forces are  heightened. The digital industrial complex can manipulate political influence and media narratives to reframe large-scale digital projects as “people’s initiatives”, obscuring the true economic motivations behind these initiatives.

A case in point is the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) digital ID project. A recent documentary highlighted the lack of infrastructure connecting traders in Kinshasa to Kisangani. It showed how some citizens in the affected regions rely on precarious wooden canoes to navigate the treacherous Congo River, struggling to maintain their livelihoods.

One would imagine that the DRC government could have improved their lives by investing in basic infrastructure, such as high-speed ferries, which would significantly ease trade. However, under the sway of an unchecked digital industrial complex, the government was convinced to prioritize digital identification systems for the population including the traders, instead.

That may very well be justified since it is projected that a digital ID would address the challenges of opening bank accounts and ensure an effective voting system in the county. This decoration of the project is, however, just but one side. On the other side of the coin,  the project is underpinned by the economic influence of a powerful  global digital industrial complex, which, in turn, has shifted the focus from practical solutions to the pursuit of profits and money making.

Here is how the pursuit for profits played out. The cost estimate of $360 million in 2020 spiralled to original digital ID contract, valued at $697 million  in 2023 and later ballooned to $1.2 billion in 2024. Tensions between Afritech, the contractor, and IDEMIA, the technology supplier, over procurement and financing further exposed the complexity and potential mismanagement of the project, leading to the government’s  decision to cancel the contract in August 2024.

This example from the DRC underscores the dangers of an unchecked digital industrial complex. As the government pushes to collect biometric data from citizens including the traders under the guise of security and efficiency, the irony is hard to ignore. The very people who endure harsh weather conditions and lack proper medical care are now being told that their biometric data is urgently needed for “government efficiency”, only for the project to abort amidst confusion bordering on the economic benefits accruing to the global digital establishment with tentacles in DRC and beyond.

The ‘unwavering commitment’ of the digital industrial complex to the implementation of digital ID programs is primarily driven by profit. The merging of economic motives with political agendas — often cloaked as 'government efficiency initiatives' — makes it easy to confuse these private and related self-seeking interests with those of the public.

Moreover, as it seems, the digital ID projects propelled by such motives aim to build a digital superhighway for a population that is more suited to riding bicycles. The political class often influenced — if not controlled — by the digital industrial establishment, finds it difficult to critically examine the true intentions behind these initiatives and their alignment with public welfare.

Fortunately, the ongoing debates around projects like the DRC's digital ID programme have given us rare and valuable insights into these motivations. Moving forward, it is essential to remain vigilant about the growing power of the digital industrial complex in Africa.

Just as Dwight Eisenhower warned about the dangers of unchecked influence within the military-industrial complex, we Africans must ensure that the digital industrial complex does not undermine public interests or exacerbate existing inequalities. Given the cross-jurisdictional nature of the digital industry, and its pervasive presence, its  risks demand our urgent and vigilant attention.