Africa Research Articles

Mapping coffee base countries in the world:

The agricultural sector has an important role in the world economy, including the coffee commodity in the plantation subsector. More than 80 countries on the continents of Africa, America and Asia produce coffee and involve more than 100 million people in the process. The growth rate of coffee on these three continents also shows positive values. The aim of this research is to map the countries that are the basis for coffee in the world and look at the prospects for coffee in these countries. The novelty of the research lies in comparing coffee production during the 2017-2022 period in coffee producing countries on three continents, namely Africa, America and Asia. The analysis used to achieve research objectives is Location Quotient (LQ), Dynamic Location Quotient (DLQ) analysis and a combination of both. The research results show that there are 28% of countries on the African continent that have LQ values ​​> 1, 31% on the American continent and 16% on the Asian continent. The DLQ value which shows the prospects for coffee commodities in the future can be seen that on the African continent there are 10 countries that have a DLQ value > 1, while on the American continent there are 13 countries and on the Asian continent there are 9 countries. The American continent has more countries in the Mainstay category (39%), compared to other continents, this indicates that the prospects for coffee commodities on the American continent are quite good in the future.

Embodied grace: The implications of the incarnation to public practical theology in Sub-Saharan Africa

Christian incarnation, illustrated through the example of Jesus Christ, involves the embodiment of God, the guardian of all creation and the manifestation of Christian beliefs. This divine incarnation operates through boundless love and concern, as demonstrated in God’s choice to intimately connect with humanity, as noted in John 3:16. Although global challenges abound, it is evident that sub-Saharan Africa faces unique difficulties, hindering its inhabitants from experiencing the fullness of life intended by God. There is a need to find solutions to the challenges faced by the African continent. In the context of sub-Saharan Africa, the question is: How can practical public theology, informed by the incarnation, be practised in tackling the challenges people face in Africa? The study addresses this inquiry, presenting the implications of the incarnation doctrine as a means to tackle African challenges. It posits incarnation as a foundation for comprehending God’s love for Africans and proposes practical ways for resiliently confronting their adversities. The article draws upon existing literature in the field of public practical theology to underpin the core argument of its thesis.Contribution: This article contributes to the discussion on how theology should be used to address people’s concrete challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. The doctrine of incarnation is a unique example whose implications can help the enhancement of addressing people’s challenges in Africa.

The Curse of Natural Resources Paradox of Abundance: the Case of Venezuela

In the middle of the 20th century, interest in the study of growth arose and the development of the world's economies, especially those on the African continent. The independence of African people after the second world war showed how lack of industrialization and high dependency of natural resources brought a very low economic growth in most of these countries. Although the abundance of natural resources can mean wealth and prosperity to a nation, inefficient exploitation of these resources makes this event a curse and not a blessing. For this reason, the theory of the curse of natural resources appears, which explains the fact that countries rich in these resources are much more vulnerable to low rates of growth and development. In this sense, the present study examines how it materializes this economic phenomenon in Venezuela Finally, it will be shown how institutional weakness and inefficient exploitation of comparative advantage of the territory have become the biggest obstacles to get rid of the curse of natural resources.

The Relationship Of Parenting Patterns And Parental Knowledge With Speech Delay In Preschool Age Children At Hermina Padang Hospital 2023

WHO 2021 reports that more than 300 million children under 5 years of age do not fulfill their development potential and most of them are children living on the Asian and African continents. Data from Hermina Hospital, the prevalence of Speech Delay in 2023 is 150 cases. In one day of research, 15 respondents were obtained. The aim of this research was to determine the relationship between parenting patterns and parental knowledge and speech delay in preschool-aged children at Hermina Hospital. Padang.This type of research uses quantitative methods with a cross sectional analytical design. The research was conducted in March – August 2023 at Hermina Padang Hospital. The research population was all mothers who had preschool children aged 3-5 years at Hermina Padang Hospital. The sampling technique was Accedental Sampling. Data collection used primary and secondary data. Univariate analysis used descriptive statistical tests and Bivariate analysis used the chi square test.The results of this research are based on the results of the Chi square test (α= 0.005) showing that there is no significant relationship between Parenting Patterns (p-value = 0.188) and there is a significant relationship between Parental Knowledge (p-value 0.032) and Speech Delay.It was concluded that there was still a lack of maternal knowledge about the importance of parenting styles and parental knowledge in children's growth and development. It is hoped that from the results of this research, parents can pay more attention to children's growth and development and that health workers can serve as a reference for improving services in reducing the incidence of speech delays.

The social life of illegality: Suspicion and surveillance against African migrants in urban India

AbstractThe turn of the 21st century has witnessed a rising trend of migration from the African continent to cities across India. Accompanying such flows have been racial tensions and policing spectacles, including incidents of violence, vandalism, and evictions against African migrants and their pathologization as “illegal.” These subtle yet pervasive forms of migrant policing by state and citizen actors constitute what I call the social life of “illegality” that is characterized by distinctive modes of suspicion and surveillance. Based upon ethnography conducted in an “unplanned” settlement of Delhi cohabitated by both African and Indian residents, I illuminate how caste‐race‐religion informed indexes of difference contribute to the multi‐sensorial racialization of African migrants as suspicious. In emplacing such dynamics within changing spatial economies and the moral anxieties accompanying such transitions, I further demonstrate quotidian practice of microsurveillance against African migrants as sustaining their position as rent‐paying clients who are nonetheless maintained in their racial alterity. The social life of “illegality” thus refocuses attention on the sensorial and emplaced registers that illegalize migrants, above and beyond documentation, thereby furthering a discussion on migrant “illegality” as enmeshed within racialized imaginaries, urban transformations, and alternate modes of governmentality.

Bond Market Development and Infrastructure Investment Gap: Lessons for the African Continent

This paper, seeks to draw lessons for the African continent based on the experiences of three pioneer countries in bonds issuance for infrastructure financing. Theoretical foundation: The preferred habitat theory served as the study's lenses.it focuses on the bond market participants' choices for bonds as a financing option. Methodology: The authors conducted a systematic review of the literature using the SALSA framework, which is a search, appraisal, synthesis, and analysis framework. Findings; There is a pressing demand for bond market development in Africa. Developed and developing economies widely utilize bonds to bridge worldwide infrastructure investment gaps. Whereas some African nations have embraced them, there is still a lot to be done. Amongst others, is the need to familiarize with the various bonds available as a financing tool for infrastructure, the contribution of bond markets globally, the motivation for various bond market participants not disregarding the bond market processes and enablers. Practicability: This study solely employed a secondary literature analysis; other researchers can do the same investigation using different methods like the qualitative techniques that entail interviews or quantitative approaches. It also highlighted the bond processes and enablers based on the experiences of three countries that pioneered bond issuance. Further research can look at more or different countries for drawing lessons. Originality; This is the first article to present an overview of bonds, bond market participants, processes and enablers. As well as, the first paper to draw lessons for African countries based on the first-time experiences of Senegal, South Africa and United states of America.

Development of recombinase polymerase amplification-based colorimetric detection assay for rapid identification of invasive cassava mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero

Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is an economically important invasive cassava pest responsible for the massive devastation of cassava in Asia and African continent. Initially, identifying this invasive pest posed challenges because it closely resembled native mealybug species. Additionally, the traditional morphological identification process is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Detecting invasive pests at an early stage is crucial, hence development of a rapid detection assay is essential. In the current study, we have developed a simple, rapid, sensitive, and efficient molecular detection assay for P. manihoti based on Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA). The primers for the RPA assay were designed using unique nucleic acid sequences of P. manihoti, and the protocol was standardized. Specificity test demonstrated that the RPA assay could amplify DNA of P. manihoti only, and no amplification was observed in six other mealybug species. The specificity of assay was confirmed using SYBR green-based colorimetric detection and gel electrophoresis where positive samples showed 195 bp amplicon size in P. manihoti samples. The assay successfully amplified P. manihoti DNA in thirty minutes at an annealing temperature of 41° C in a water bath and displayed a sensitivity of 72.5 picograms per microliter. The assay's simplicity, rapidity, and high sensitivity make it a valuable tool for detecting and monitoring P. manihoti in quarantine stations and facilitating in development of a portable diagnostic kit.

El Nacionalismo en la Lucha por la Independencia de las Colonias en África (Angola)

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of Nationalism on the struggle for Independence in the colonies in Africa, with particular emphasis on the case of Angola. The objective of this work is to assess the changes that took place on the Continent from 1888 to 1910, marked by the conquest and occupation of almost the entire African Continent by Western imperialist powers; followed by the effective implementation and installation of the colonial system as an administrative system in the second half of the century. XIX, division and definition of geographic spaces. In fact, the year 1910 was essentially characterized by the consolidation and exploitation of that system, causing major distortions in the economic, social and cultural structures of the dominated territories. The appeal written at the Manchester Congress (1945) to the colonized peoples, expressly advised that all colonies should be freed from foreign imperialist control, both political and economic, and fight by all means to achieve these objectives. The use of qualitative research based on bibliography related to these themes, the inductive-deductive method allowed the (construction) of ideas of a passive Africa, embodied in the emergence of movements that aimed at the overthrow of the colonial system. In effect, with the end of World War II, the process of decolonization began, resulting in a more reinvigorated, radical and consequential African nationalism. This means a more conscious, enlightened and enlightening continental nationalism, better structured and politically framed and represented internationally and with qualitatively higher levels of political and cultural organization, with the year 1960 being marked as the year of Africa, with the outbreak of the various independence of respective African countries and consequent recovery and affirmation of socio-historical, political and cultural identity, hidden by colonization.

A REVIEW OF SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH STRATEGIES IN AFRICAN ECONOMIES

This comprehensive review delves into the dynamic landscape of small business growth strategies within the diverse economies of Africa. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in driving economic development and fostering job creation across the continent. However, the challenges faced by these enterprises are multifaceted, ranging from limited access to finance and market constraints to regulatory hurdles. This review examines a spectrum of strategies employed by small businesses to overcome these challenges and achieve sustainable growth. The study analyzes various financial mechanisms that facilitate small business growth in African economies. From traditional banking channels to innovative fintech solutions, the review explores the evolving landscape of financial inclusion and assesses its impact on SME development. Additionally, the role of government policies and interventions in creating an enabling environment for small businesses is scrutinized, shedding light on successful models that have spurred entrepreneurial growth. Market access is a critical determinant of small business success, and this review investigates the strategies employed by SMEs to penetrate local and international markets. From leveraging digital platforms to forming strategic partnerships, the examination reveals the importance of adaptability and innovation in overcoming market entry barriers. Furthermore, the study explores the impact of technology adoption on small businesses, highlighting the transformative power of digital tools in enhancing efficiency, reaching new customers, and optimizing operational processes. In the context of the African continent's unique socio-cultural and economic diversity, the review also delves into the significance of knowledge transfer and skills development. Collaborative initiatives, mentorship programs, and educational interventions are assessed for their role in equipping entrepreneurs with the capabilities required for sustainable growth. In conclusion, this review synthesizes current literature on small business growth strategies in African economies, offering valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers alike. The findings underscore the importance of a holistic approach that integrates financial inclusion, policy support, technological innovation, and capacity building to foster a vibrant small business ecosystem and contribute to overall economic development in Africa. Keywords: Small Business, Growth, Strategies, Economies, Development.

Bibliometric analysis and visualisation of research on life cycle assessment in Africa (1992–2022)

Abstract Purpose Life cycle assessment (LCA) has found wide applicability as a tool for assessing the environmental impacts of human activities in different fields such as manufacturing, mining, transportation, oil and gas, construction, and medicine. Despite the wide applicability of LCA globally, the uptake and use of the tool in Africa remains limited. This research is motivated by the need to explore the continental structure of life cycle assessment to ascertain the level of knowledge and research; collaboration amongst institutions, countries, and authors; keyword co-occurrence; thematic evolution; and bibliographic coupling. Methods Publications related to life cycle assessment were retrieved and cleaned from the Scopus database with the language restricted to English and only countries recognised by the African Union. VOSviewer (version 1.6.19) visualisation tool was used to construct and visualise the network maps of researchers, co-occurrence, co-authorships, and keywords. On the other hand, Bibliometrix was employed to carryout descriptive analysis and thematic evolution and to extract bibliographic information. Results and discussion In total, 616 research publications between 1992 and 2022 were retrieved. The results show that research on the subject matter picked up from 2004 and has been on the upward trend. South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria are the top countries carrying out LCA research on the continent. In addition, the top authors, affiliations, and funders also come from these countries. It was also noted that there were low levels of cooperation between authors on the African continent; rather, they collaborate more with researchers in Europe, America, and other parts of the world. The built environment, construction industry, alternative energy, agriculture, and waste management and recycling are the major themes of research on the continent. Conclusion Life cycle assessment is gaining traction amongst researchers in Africa, albeit slowly. Considering the continents’ role in the future especially in providing critical raw materials needed for the transition to a carbon-neutral society in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), rapid uptake and embedding life cycle thinking in every sector of the African economy are needed. However, there is an urgent need to equip researchers with the skills to facilitate the development of a life cycle inventory (LCI) database at countries or continental level.

The Drill model: A renewed perspective adapted to the volatile, uncertain, complex and agile (VUCA) world to improve situation analysis and support decision-making

Traditional models that are dedicated to environment analysis and anticipation help deciders reinforce decision-making in both the academic and professional worlds. Nevertheless, as useful as these models are, it seems they are not effective, as shown by the lack of anticipation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine or of the different crisis observed in the African continent. Consequently, confrontation with reality made them incapable of predicting evolution, making those models unable to answer the new challenge induced by technology development, new phenomena and the developments that made the world increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and agile. This paper offers suggestions for a different approach that helps to embrace this complexity by proposing an inclusive model mixing both qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Comparing daily, circalunar and seasonal activity patterns of cheetah Acinonyx jubatus in response to livestock presence in Botswana

Animal activity patterns vary on a daily, circalunar and seasonal scale in response to abiotic (e.g. light availability and temperature) and biotic factors (e.g. predation and competition). In the presence of humans and their livestock, carnivores, for example, have been found to become more nocturnal. The aim of this paper is to compare daily, circalunar and seasonal activity patterns of cheetah Acinonyx jubatus in the western Kalahari of Botswana between areas where there is no livestock present (i.e. game farms with a relatively low risk of cheetah mortality) and areas where livestock is present (i.e. cattle farms with a higher risk of cheetah mortality). Using two years of camera trap data, we recorded 88% of cheetah observations on game farms and 12% on cattle farms. Our results showed that cheetahs were more nocturnal in the absence of cattle and more crepuscular on cattle farms compared to game farms. Overall, cheetah activity on cattle farms showed a peak in activity after inferred cattle activity and before human activity during the day, specifically during the dry season. We recommend management strategies on a local scale such as temporal zoning of grazing activities during the different seasons or keeping cattle in an enclosure at night. This study sheds new light on our understanding of the impact of land use on free‐ranging carnivores in the face of livestock expansion on the African continent.

Reviewing Southern Africa’s Status as a Developmental Region through Governance and Development

This case study discusses how the democratic governance principles and norms impact development in the SADC, and how institutional and structural reforms require greater participation by society to address the governance challenges encountered in this subregion of Africa. Consequently, the aim of this paper is to examine and assess the relationship between SADC’s governance, democratic principles and norms, development plans and processes. A comparative analysis was conducted using SADC’s key democratic achievement connected to policies, processes, and remaining challenges. Subsequently, the key causes of SADC’s slow development on the African continent were explored, focusing on the failure to institutionalise liberal democratic governance consistently during postcolonial transition periods, speculating SADC’s slow development. The findings suggest that SADC is impacted by democratic principles, norms, and processes, such as local governance, civil society, and decentralisation of power. Bearing in mind Southern Africa’s economic frailty, elevated levels of civil unrest and poor service delivery, SADC authorities require a strong sub-regional governance strategy supported by robust national programmes to determine and overcome the factors hindering the institutionalisation of democratic principles in SADC, and promote strengthened institutional capacity. The unambiguous progression towards the consolidation of democracy, within the SADC, has impacted the governance and development successes of the region, resulting in democratic values and practices remaining shallowly rooted, and slow progress toward open and transparent governance.

An investigation into Toxoplasma gondii at the human-livestock-wildlife interface, South Africa.

Interface areas shared by humans, domestic and wild animals may serve as high transmission contexts forToxoplasma gondii.However, knowledge about the epidemiology ofT. gondiiin such areas is currently limited. The present study assessed the seroprevalence ofT. gondiiin different hosts from Mpumalanga, South Africa. Furthermore, we investigated the local knowledge and related practices aboutT. gondiiby conducting a questionnaire study in the community. Blood samples were obtained and analysed forT. gondiiantibodies using a commercial multispecies latex agglutination kit. The seroprevalence detected in humans (n= 160; patients showing signs of acute febrile illness), cats (n= 9), chickens (n= 336) and goats (n= 358) was 8.8%, 0.0%, 4.2% and 11.2%, respectively. Seroprevalence in impalas (n= 97), kudus (n= 55), wild dogs (n= 54), wildebeests (n= 43), warthogs (n= 97) and zebras (n= 68) was calculated at 5.2%, 7.3%, 100.0%, 20.9%, 13.4% and 9.1%, respectively. The questionnaire revealed that 63.0% of household owners were subsistence farmers, and 35.9% were pet owners. A high level of female participation was found (75.3%) when compared to male participation (24.7%). The results show a low circulation ofT. gondiiin the domestic cycle and suggest the presence of possible bridges between the wildlife cycle and the surrounding domestic cycle.Contribution:The study contributes to identifying transmission patterns and risk factors ofT. gondiiwithin human and animal populations. This topic fits within the scope of the journal presenting original research in veterinary science, with the focus on wild and domestic populations on the African continent on a topic of universal importance.

Insights into the Geographical Origins of the Cabo Verde Green Monkey.

The green monkey Chlorocebus sabaeus, L. 1766, native to West Africa, was introduced to the Cabo Verde Archipelago in the 16th century. Historical sources suggest that, due to the importance of Cabo Verde as a commercial entrepôt in the Atlantic slave trade, establishing the precise place of origin of this introduced species is challenging. Non-invasive fecal samples were collected from feral and captive green monkey individuals in Cabo Verde. Two mitochondrial fragments, HVRI and cyt b, were used to confirm the taxonomic identification of the species and to tentatively determine the geographic origin of introduction to the archipelago from the African continent. By comparing the new sequences of this study to previously published ones, it was shown that Cabo Verde individuals have unique haplotypes in the HVRI, while also showing affinities to several populations from north-western coastal Africa in the cyt b, suggesting probable multiple sources of introduction and an undetermined most probable origin. The latter is consistent with historical information, but may also have resulted from solely using mtDNA as a genetic marker and the dispersal characteristics of the species. The limitations of the methodology are discussed and future directions of research are suggested.

Assessing the Environmental and Health Implications of Waste Disposal: A Case Study of Africa's Largest Dumping Site

This study investigates the environmental and health repercussions of generated and distributed waste stemming from dumpsites scattered across various Sub-Saharan Africa countries. Through a comprehensive examination of data gleaned from scholarly databases, published reports, to analyze the characteristics and impacts of dumpsites on the environment and public health; key findings illuminate the profound challenges posed by these dumpsites. Notably, large dumpsites such as Olusosun in Nigeria, Dandora in Kenya, and Agbogbloshie in Ghana emerge as focal points due to their staggering size and heightened risk profiles and the significant risk to nearby communities. The analysis underscores pervasive issues including air and water contamination, soil degradation, and the propagation of diseases within nearby communities. There are indications of progress and improvements being made in some dumpsites, and initiatives such as waste-to-energy projects, recycling programs, and community-driven interventions are emerging to address these challenges and mitigate the adverse effects of dumpsites on surrounding environments and human health. Considering these findings, recommendations are put forth for bolstering waste management strategies, advocating for meticulous site selection, promoting waste segregation practices, and fostering community engagement. These measures are essential to mitigate the adverse effects of dumpsites, safeguard environmental integrity, and uphold public health standards across the African continent.

The African Court’s Jurisdiction over the Crime of Unconstitutional Change of Government and the African Union’s Sanctions Regime: A Comparative Analysis

This paper provides a comparative assessment of the criminalisation of unconstitutional change of government before the proposed African Court of Justice and Human Rights (African Court), and the African Union’s sanctions regime, which is part of its legal and policy framework to respond to unconstitutional change of government. Using Niger and Gabon as case studies, the paper examines the efficacy of the African Union (and the Economic Community of West African States, in the case of Niger) sanctions regime in response to the recent military coups in these selected countries. It is argued that the African Union’s policy and legal framework in response to unconstitutional change of government and the sanctions regime have not been effective in countering the scourge of unconstitutional change of government on the African continent. The paper then examines the potential of Article 28E of the Malabo Protocol, which criminalises unconstitutional change of government, to effectively address the problem of recurring unconstitutional change of government in Africa. It concludes that this Article has the potential to effectively address the problem of unconstitutional change of government when the African Court becomes operational.

The Global Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Chapter: South West Asia and Africa Extracorporeal Life Support Organization in 2024

In early 2024, we can take a moment to acknowledge the journey we have been on in critical care, especially in the region that comprises Extracorporeal Life Support Organizations (ELSO’s) South West Asia and Africa Continent (SWAAC) Chapter. ELSO has been able to develop a global standard in foundational educational knowledge for adults. This is only possible with the participation of experts in every region. The process for developing this standard has now been published. ELSO is using this same process to develop the foundational knowledge for neonatal and pediatric education. We are grateful to many in the SWAACELSO region for your assistance in the development of a global standard in education and training. The SWAACELSO region has achieved so much in the recent past. Participation in all facets of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) and ELSO globally continues to advance how we work together and what is available for patients in communities everywhere. This region will continue to help lead in creating resiliency and innovation in the coming years. Personally, I am grateful for the dedication and commitment to improving life support that this region continues to advance.

Kawasaki disease in Kenya and review of the African literature

BackgroundKawasaki disease has been described across the globe, although publications from Africa are limited. To our knowledge, there are no publications on Kawasaki disease from Kenya, which triggered this report.MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional study was undertaken to identify in-patients with a discharge diagnosis of Kawasaki disease, over 2 different 5-year periods, at two pediatric hospitals in Nairobi, Kenya. We reviewed the medical records of all patients and report their clinical findings, diagnostic workup and treatment. In addition, we undertook a detailed review of the literature.ResultsTwenty-three patients with Kawasaki disease were identified, of those 12 (52.2%) had incomplete disease. The mean age was 2.3 years (SD+/-2.2) (range 0.3–10.3) with a male to female ratio of 1:1. The mean duration of fever at diagnosis was 8.3 days (SD+/-4.7) (range 2–20). Oral changes were the most common clinical feature and conjunctivitis the least common. Thrombocytosis at diagnosis was seen in 52% (12/23). Twenty-one patients (91.3%) were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and all except 1 received aspirin. Baseline echocardiograms were performed in 95.7% (22/23) and found to be abnormal in 3 (13.6%). Follow-up data was limited. Our literature review identified 79 publications with documented cases of Kawasaki disease in children from 22 countries across the African continent with a total of 1115 patients including those from this report. Only 153 reported cases, or 13.7%, are from sub-Saharan Africa.ConclusionsThis is the first publication on Kawasaki disease from Kenya and one of the largest reports from sub-Saharan Africa. It is the first to have a complete review of the number of published cases from the African continent. Challenges in the diagnosis and management of Kawasaki disease in many African countries include disease awareness, infectious confounders, access and cost of intravenous immunoglobulin, access to pediatric echocardiography and follow-up. Increasing awareness and health care resources are important for improving outcomes of Kawasaki disease in Africa.

Undersea cables in Africa: The new frontiers of digital colonialism

The Internet has become the backbone of the social fabric. The United Nations Human Rights Council declared access to the Internet a fundamental human right over a decade ago. Yet, Africa remains the region with the widest Digital Divide where most of the population is either sparsely connected or has no access to the Internet. This has in turn created a race amongst Western big tech corporations scrambling to “bridge the Digital Divide”. Although the Internet is often portrayed as something that resides in the “cloud”, it heavily depends on physical infrastructure, including undersea cables. In this paper, we examine how current undersea cable projects and Internet infrastructure, owned, controlled, and managed by private Western big tech corporation, often using the “bridging the Digital Divide” rhetoric, not only replicates colonial logic but also follows the same infrastructural path laid during the trans-Atlantic slave trade era. Despite its significant impact on the continent’s digital infrastructure, we find publicly available information is scarce and undersea cable projects are carried out with no oversight and little transparency. We review historical evolution of the Internet, and detail and track the development of undersea cables in Africa, and illustrate its tight connection with colonial legacies. We provide an in-depth analysis of two current major undersea cable undertakings across the continent: Google’s Equiano and Meta’s 2Africa. Using Google and Meta’s undersea cables as case studies, we illustrate how these projects follow colonial logic, create a new cost model that keep African nations under perpetual debt, and serve as infrastructure for mass data harvesting while bringing little benefit to the Global South. We conclude with actionable recommendations for and demands from big tech corporations, regulatory bodies, and governments across the African continent.