If historical colonialism annexed territories, their resources and the agencies working in them, the power grab of data colonialism is both simpler and more profound: the capture and control of human life itself by appropriating the data that can be extracted from it for profit. Studying and reflecting on this context is what this panel promotes whose (non-delimiting) questions may suggest topics such as the following:
1. How are Western digital platforms affecting digital sovereignty in Africa?
– What are the implications of the concentration of data in the hands of foreign companies?
What is the impact of entertainment platforms such as Netflix, Disney and HBO on African culture?
– How do they influence the production and consumption of local content?
How are economic power dynamics changing with the arrival of these platforms?
– Which sectors are benefiting and which are being displaced?
What measures can African governments take to protect data privacy and encourage the creation of local content?
– What regulatory frameworks and public policies are needed?
How can African startups and technology companies compete in a market dominated by Western giants?
– What strategies for collaboration and resistance can be effective?
We invite researchers, practitioners and policy makers to present their studies and proposals on these issues, seeking a balance between taking advantage of digital opportunities and criticizing platform capitalism in order to preserve African autonomy and cultural diversity.
