While the rise of technology has hugely turbo-charged global economic development, it has also accentuated existing inequalities — especially in the global south. A major concern is what some have called techno-colonialism, a phenomenon in which global tech firms profit from the global south’s natural resources and labour at the expense of local communities and economies, especially in Africa.

Africa's vast reserves of rare earth minerals are crucial for producing high-tech devices such as smartphones and electric vehicles. For instance, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a major source of cobalt, a key component in lithium-ion batteries. However, the extraction of these resources frequently involves exploitative practices. Child labour, hazardous working conditions, and environmental damage are common, with profits flowing primarily to multinational corporations rather than benefiting local communities.

Consequently, despite Africa playing such an important role in the broader tech supply chain globally, there are major challenges in terms of a 'digital divide' on the continent. There are massive disparities in internet connectivity and digital literacy in urban versus rural areas. The world's tech companies have gotten away with exploiting data from African users without paying commensurate value and privacy protections for far too long. They are willing to leave Africa, blaming lack of goodwill so that it may assist them develop solid artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms, with nothing coming back to African nations where all but a drop or two's worth originates.

A number of African countries have additionally established an area for the production or resourcing of other mass consumer tech products, a segment that enjoys provisions offered through significantly cheaper labour costs. Unfortunately, this has given rise to new forms of labour exploitation in the form of extended hours at low wages and poor working conditions. A case of how tech giants focus intently on cost-cutting leads to reducing proper consideration of labour rights, and fostering underinvestment in a populace.

This era of techno-colonialism is incredibly damaging to the environment. Mining and processing are embarked on to produce rare Earth elements that serve as important raw materials for various green technologies. Most of these multinational corporations work with a complete disregard for environmental regulations or only pretend to follow them, in a way that locals end up living amid ecological disasters.

Two key examples of this techno-colonialism trend are:

Cobalt mining in the DRC: the DRC holds over 60% of the world’s cobalt reserves, crucial for many high-tech applications. However, mining practices in the region are fraught with issues. Reports highlight the use of child labour and dangerous working conditions. Despite the high global demand for cobalt, the local population remains impoverished and marginalised, with little to show for the immense value of their natural resources.

E-waste in Ghana: Agbogbloshie in Accra, Ghana, has become one of the world’s largest e-waste dumps. Electronic waste from around the globe is sent here, where informal workers, including children, dismantle and burn electronics to recover valuable materials. This process releases harmful toxins, posing serious health risks to workers and contaminating the environment.

Tackling techno-colonialism requires a multifaceted approach. African governments must enforce stricter regulations on mining and manufacturing to ensure environmental protection and labour rights. Promoting fair trade and ethical sourcing of minerals can help ensure that local communities benefit from their resources.

The exploitation of Africa's resources and labour by global tech giants perpetuates inequality and hinders sustainable development. Addressing these issues requires stronger regulations, fair trade practices, investment in local economies, data sovereignty, and international cooperation. By raising awareness and advocating for equitable practices, we can work towards a future where technological advancements benefit all, rather than just a privileged few.