Chinese technology manufacturer Huawei and Chad have entered into an agreement to construct a national data center and develop technology infrastructure in the African country. The deal raises concerns regarding China’s increasing digital presence in the region. While the agreement does not explicitly mention cybersecurity measures, it aims to assist the Chad government in fulfilling its digital transformation goals through the National ICT Modernization Project. The project is being financed by a concessional loan from the Chinese government, which includes the construction of a 1,200 km fiber optic network spanning the nation from south to east.
Over the weekend, Mahamat Saleh Ibrahim, the secretary general of the Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Economy of Chad, and Léo Lingyu Kong, the vice president and general manager of Huawei CEMAC zone, signed a memorandum of understanding for the deal. The signing took place as part of the Tech Africa event. This agreement is a significant step towards Chad’s technological advancement, as it aims to improve digital infrastructure and expand connectivity across the country.
While Huawei has expressed commitment to contributing to global digital talent development, concerns about the company’s alleged spying capabilities persist. In the past, many policymakers in the United States have viewed Huawei as a potential threat to national security due to its close ties to the Chinese Communist Party. The worries center around the possibility of cyber espionage and the potential for Huawei to be exploited for surveillance purposes.
According to a recently published report, Huawei’s involvement in subsea cables and smart city initiatives raises concerns about its ability to exercise “soft power” and engage in surveillance activities. By utilizing Huawei technology, subsea cables and smart city projects could potentially grant the company significant surveillance capabilities. However, it is important to note that these claims are largely theoretical and have yet to be substantiated.
Commenting on the agreement between Huawei and Chad, Tom Hegel, a senior threat researcher at SentinelOne, stated that while the construction of a national data center may not raise significant concerns on its own, it does contribute to Chad’s increasing reliance on Chinese technology. This dependence on Chinese tech raises long-term dominance concerns for the country.
Huawei, in its statement, stressed the importance of developing digital talent to foster a robust digital economy and promote industrial innovation. The company has signed memorandums of understanding with various ICT academies and educational organizations across Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, and Africa to nurture future digital talent in underserved markets.
The collaboration between Huawei and Chad signifies a step forward in Africa’s digital transformation journey. Chad aims to leverage Huawei’s expertise and technology to enhance its digital infrastructure, connectivity, and overall technological capabilities. However, opponents of China’s expanding digital presence in Africa continue to voice concerns about potential surveillance and soft power implications.
As Huawei continues to expand its global presence through infrastructure development projects, it must work to address and alleviate concerns surrounding its cybersecurity practices. Building trust with both governments and end-users is crucial for the company’s sustained success.