Executive Summary

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Israel’s export of surveillance technology across Africa is strategically consolidating political influence, creating dependencies that strengthen its leverage over both African governments and non-African actors, while increasing the need for diplomatic management vis‑à‑vis Chinese digital infrastructure expansion in the region.

Across Africa, Israeli spyware and surveillance tools are operational in multiple states. They provide deep access to domestic security apparatuses and reinforce regime stability. Concurrently, China’s growing dominance over fiber networks, 5G, data centers, and smart city infrastructure in Kenya, Egypt, Zambia, and elsewhere positions Beijing as a critical infrastructural power. Several  states — including Zambia and Nigeria — simultaneously operate Chinese infrastructure and Israeli surveillance platforms. 

This coexistence creates potential operational and regulatory friction. Further, it is underpinned by strategic misalignment. By 2030, Israel will likely need high-level diplomatic coordination to ensure continued operational access while leveraging its surveillance exports to expand influence and secure broader geopolitical objectives.