The article discusses concerns over Chinese-built government buildings in Africa, sparked by a 2018 scandal where servers in the African Union Conference Centre in Addis Ababa were allegedly transmitting data to China. Despite denials from China, this incident highlighted fears of surveillance risks tied to Chinese construction and maintenance of sensitive government infrastructure. By 2026, China has completed over 200 such buildings across Africa, including parliaments and ministries, raising ongoing worries about potential espionage facilitated by China’s advanced surveillance technology and control over these facilities.

The relationship between China and African governments is asymmetrical, with African nations often reliant on Chinese finance and expertise to build critical infrastructure. While these projects provide much-needed development and prestige, they come with risks to information sovereignty, as China designs, constructs, and often maintains these buildings. The article argues that although espionage is common among states, the scale and sophistication of China’s involvement create unique security challenges for Africa. It calls for assurances that Chinese “gifts” are free from hidden surveillance, emphasizing the need for respect and trust in this vital but complex partnership.