The Digital Frontier: Dr. István Tarrósy on Africa’s Geopolitics of Technology

At a recent African Studies conference held at the University of Pécs, Dr. István Tarrósy delivered a compelling lecture shedding light on the rapidly evolving landscape of Africa’s digital transformation by exploring the intersection of geoeconomics, cybersecurity, and infrastructure through a nuanced "Afro-realist" lens.

The central theme of Dr. Tarrósy’s, who is the director of the International Centre and of the Africa Research Centre of UP, presentation focused on the dramatic shift in Africa’s physical and virtual connectivity, moving from a continent largely "disconnected" in 2010 to one deeply integrated into global networks by 2024. This evolution is driven by massive investments in undersea internet cables and terrestrial "corridor developments" that combine fiber optics with transcontinental roads and railways. While Chinese entities currently dominate this landscape, providing roughly 70% of the continent’s broadband infrastructure, Dr. Tarrósy emphasized that this "technological marriage" often serves Chinese national interests as much as African needs. This dynamic creates a "shadow rise" where economic growth is visible, but the underlying quality of development—in terms of job creation and poverty reduction—remains a significant challenge.

Transitioning toward the rise of "Afro-realism," Dr. Tarrósy argued that African nations are increasingly asserting their agency by navigating the interests of global powers like the U.S., China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia. Rather than being passive participants in a new "scramble," many states are leveraging these external rivalries to advance their own strategic frameworks, such as the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy for 2020-2030. This agency is particularly evident in the realm of cybersecurity, where nations like Mauritius, Ghana, and Rwanda have emerged as global leaders in digital resilience. These countries have implemented comprehensive national strategies to combat the rising tide of cybercrime, which reportedly slashed the continent’s GDP by over 10% in recent years.

Ultimately, Dr. Tarrósy concluded that the key to enhancing Africa’s position in the contemporary geopolitical landscape lies in the mastery of its own digital destiny. While physical infrastructure like power generation and broadband quality remain formidable obstacles, the shift toward African-led solutions marks a departure from historical dependency. By fostering a culture of cybersecurity education and strategic innovation, the continent is moving beyond the role of a resource frontier and toward becoming an assertive and capable player in the global digital economy. This transformation requires reliable partnerships, but as Dr. Tarrósy underscored, it must be guided by a clear-eyed understanding of the risks and opportunities inherent in the modern geoeconomic arena.

Article: Hanna Leemans
Photos: Szabolcs Csortos