Decolonising the Internet in Africa: A Policy Perspective
Ufuoma Akpojivi · Communicatio · 2024
This study addresses the problem of Western-centric governance frameworks dominating the internet in Africa, which often exclude African perspectives and fail to meet local societal needs. Adopting a decolonial theory, particularly drawing on the concept of Ubuntu, the research critically analyses the African Union's and Rwanda's artificial intelligence (AI) policies to explore how these frameworks can be more inclusive and people-oriented. Using qualitative methods, including policy document analysis and case studies, the study reveals significant gaps in current governance approaches that prioritise market-driven ideologies over human-centred development. The findings underscore the need for a decolonised, responsive internet governance structure in Africa that better serves its diverse populations.