Digital Diplomacy in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review

Abstract

Digital diplomacy is becoming the dominant form globally. Africa, being part of the era of 
globalization, needs to embrace new technologies. However, African digital diplomacy faces 
various challenges like inadequate infrastructure, lack of expertise in new technologies, 
restrictive regulations, anonymity concerns, and more. Consequently, with the increasing use 
of digital tools, Africa is encountering a rise in cybersecurity risks such as hacking, online 
scams, and misinformation campaigns. Insufficient cybersecurity measures and limited 
capabilities to tackle these issues expose African nations to cyber threats. While the objectives 
of the research paper are to explore the opportunities digital diplomacy presents in Sub-Saharan 
African State and investigate the challenges of digital diplomacy in Sub-Saharan African State, 
the study utilised a qualitative research method drawing from secondary sources and document 
analysis. Subsequently, the gathered information undergoes thematic analysis. The study finds 
that, digital diplomacy presents a myriad of prospects and potentials as a result of the surge in 
internet and social media utilization in Sub Sahara Africa, coupled with enhanced mobile 
connectivity and accessibility to smartphones. Similarly, as emerging technology offers 
numerous advantages to digital diplomacy in Sub Sahara Africa, yet it also presents numerous 
drawbacks. The study recommends investment in digital infrastructure, prioritizing high-speed 
internet access and reliable communication networks, promoting digital literary, and leveraging 
social media platforms to enhance digital diplomacy in Sub-Sharan African.