Introduction
Following funding cuts to USAID by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, Kenya can no longer access its health data systems – a stark realisation of the digital dependency crisis experts have warned about for years. When critical national infrastructure is hosted on foreign servers, this vulnerability is inevitable.
The Kenya Health Information System (KHIS2), Kenya Master Health Facility List (KMFL), KenyaEMR, and other platforms central to disease surveillance, vaccine tracking, and patient records became inaccessible not due to technical failure, but due to foreign policy decisions made thousands of miles away in Washington, D.C.
This isn’t just about healthcare. When your ability to track malaria outbreaks, manage HIV treatment programs, or coordinate rural clinic operations depends entirely on the goodwill of foreign governments, you’ve ceded fundamental sovereignty over your citizens’ well-being.
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Digital infrastructure is national infrastructure
Critical data infrastructure demands the same strategic thinking as electrical grids, water systems, or telecommunications networks. Kenya’s situation demonstrates that digital dependency can be weaponised as quickly as traditional economic or military pressure. The $2.5 billion USAID commitment to Kenya seemed like generous support but created a single point of failure that could be – and was – switched off overnight.
The impact reverberates across all levels: potential disruption to essential services, uncertainty about data access for businesses, and loss of informed decision-making capacity for policymakers during public health crises.
Health officials cannot now track HIV/AIDS or malaria outbreaks because of a foreign country’s domestic political decisions. When disease surveillance systems go dark due to geopolitical tensions, data location becomes a matter of national security. African nations must immediately audit their data pipelines and identify critical dependencies that could be severed without warning. Nigeria’s NITDA is already developing national cloud infrastructure with data localisation requirements – the proactive approach other African nations must urgently adopt.
The technical reality: Complex but not impossible
Addressing these vulnerabilities goes far beyond mere political rhetoric. Migrating systems like KHIS2 is not simply about copying files from one location to another. It involves rebuilding entire ecosystems, including data integration protocols, user training programs, and interoperability standards across various systems, all while ensuring continuity of service.
This transformation requires a fundamental overhaul, both in terms of technical infrastructure and institutional frameworks. It’s not just about upgrading or changing systems; it’s about rethinking how data is managed, shared, and utilized within the health system as a whole. This process cannot occur in isolation; it requires ensuring that the new systems remain compatible with the local health services and meet the diverse needs of different population groups.
But if not now, then when? As artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates across sectors, the stakes continue to rise, particularly for African nations that are becoming increasingly reliant on foreign goodwill for access to their own data and decision-making capabilities. This issue goes beyond cybersecurity; it’s about the economic and political independence of these countries. Relying on imported data systems places these nations in a vulnerable position, where powerful foreign entities can use this data as a tool of leverage to advance their own geopolitical or economic agendas. As AI continues to reshape industries globally, the need for African nations to control and protect their data becomes more urgent.
Kenya, for example, faces the immense challenge of migrating years’ worth of critical health data, all while ensuring that rural clinics don’t lose access to patient records. Millions of people could indirectly be impacted by this shift, affecting the quality of care they receive. The Ministry of Health estimates a massive funding gap of $403.8 million, highlighting the scale of the financial burden required to modernize the country’s health data systems.
This gap isn’t just about the cost of technology and infrastructure; it also includes indirect costs like training programs, system maintenance, improved regulatory standards, and the expansion of internet access in remote areas. These challenges require significant financial investments, and the Kenyan government may struggle to allocate enough resources, given its limited budget and ongoing economic issues.
Yet waiting until these dependencies become even more entrenched will only make the eventual reckoning more expensive and difficult. If African countries do not take proactive steps now to address these vulnerabilities, they will face even steeper challenges in the future, with both financial and geopolitical consequences. The longer nations wait to address their reliance on foreign technology and data systems, the more complex and costly the transition will be down the line.
The digital divide will widen, leaving many African nations at the mercy of external forces with the power to dictate terms. This can lead to a future where these countries are even more dependent on external actors, which would limit their ability to make sovereign decisions about their own development.
The question is not whether this transition is difficult; it’s whether we will address these vulnerabilities proactively or wait until the next geopolitical shift forces us to act under less favorable circumstances. AI and other advanced technologies are poised to revolutionize industries, but they also pose risks if we fail to act in a timely manner. If African nations continue to rely on imported systems and external support for critical infrastructure like health data management, they risk becoming further entangled in global power dynamics that may not always align with their interests.
Digital transformation and system modernization in Africa are not merely an economic necessity; they are existential issues. The nations that embrace technological innovation today will shape the future. Africa, which struggles with economic volatility and geopolitical instability, has the potential to become a global leader if it strategically invests in technology and the modernization of its digital systems. However, this shift requires careful attention to local needs, priorities, and the most vulnerable populations who are most affected by these changes, such as those in rural and underserved areas.
In this context, the shift toward modern digital health systems should not just be viewed as a technical necessity but as a broader societal imperative. The strategic integration of technology can drastically improve quality of life in many African regions, transforming healthcare, education, transportation, and governance. If successful, this transformation could lead to a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future for African nations. But these shifts require careful planning, a focus on inclusivity, and broad participation from all sectors of society.
So, the critical question remains: Will we confront these vulnerabilities with foresight and ingenuity, or will we wait until geopolitical changes force us into action under far less favorable circumstances? Waiting is not an option. The future is unfolding now, and for nations that fail to act decisively, the costs of delay will be far greater than those of proactive investment in digital transformation. A future where African nations control their own data, technology, and decision-making processes is not only possible, but also crucial for their long-term independence and success on the global stage.
Crisis as a catalyst: The innovation opportunity
Within this crisis lies an unprecedented opportunity. Kenya’s forced transition opens doors for local tech companies to build indigenous solutions tailored to African contexts. This creates space for homegrown startups to develop health information systems that understand local workflows, operate in local languages, and meet African regulatory requirements – something foreign-built systems often struggle to achieve.
However, these solutions must be truly local – not just in branding, but in architecture, governance, and control. Digital infrastructure must be locally owned, governed, and operated without hidden bottlenecks that replicate the dependencies we seek to escape. This doesn’t mean rejecting global partnerships but building relationships based on cooperation rather than dependency.
ICT ministers frequently discuss accelerating local tech leadership. Now is the moment to translate rhetoric into action through targeted innovation challenges that identify and support the continent’s best technical minds.
Regional partnerships between African nations could fundamentally transform the economics of data sovereignty. By sharing costs and expertise, African countries can create a continental data infrastructure serving African interests first.
The recently signed Africa Declaration on Artificial Intelligence provides the roadmap. With 50+ African nations committing to ‘distributed sovereign compute infrastructure’ and an ‘Africa-first approach to AI procurement’, the political will for digital sovereignty already exists. The $60 billion Africa AI Fund shows the investment scale needed for truly independent digital infrastructure. Kenya’s crisis should catalyse the implementation of these commitments, turning the Declaration’s vision of regional data centres and cross-border AI collaboration from aspiration into urgent necessity.
Beyond healthcare: A continental reckoning
Kenya’s health data crisis represents only the opening chapter in a much broader narrative that every African nation will soon face. While Kenya is confronting the immediate challenge of migrating and securing years of critical health data, this is merely a symptom of a much larger issue that stretches across all sectors in the continent.
Whether it’s healthcare, education, agriculture, or governance, African nations are increasingly dependent on foreign technologies and infrastructure to manage and protect their most vital data. This dependency, if left unaddressed, risks stifling Africa’s long-term economic growth, sovereignty, and security. The solution to this crisis is not just about dealing with health data; it requires a comprehensive, continent-wide strategy to audit digital dependencies and systematically transition critical systems to local or regional control.
The health sector is a natural starting point, given the enormous challenges faced by countries like Kenya, which are trying to digitize healthcare systems without losing vital access to patient records in rural areas. However, the core issue is much broader and cuts across all industries. From financial systems to educational databases, Africa’s over-reliance on foreign digital infrastructure poses a direct threat to its sovereignty. Data about African citizens is housed in foreign servers, under the control of multinational corporations, which in some cases, are subject to policies that may not align with Africa’s interests. This growing dependency is a ticking time bomb that, if not addressed, could compromise national security, economic stability, and overall independence.
At the heart of this crisis is the issue of data sovereignty. Digital sovereignty refers to a nation’s ability to control and govern its own data, without being overly dependent on foreign entities. Africa’s current reliance on foreign technology providers and cloud storage companies means that vast amounts of sensitive data are outside of Africa’s borders, often in jurisdictions that are not aligned with African values or legal frameworks. This not only leaves African nations vulnerable to foreign influence but also places them in a precarious position when it comes to data privacy, security, and usage.
This is a bellwether moment for Africa, a defining crossroads that will determine how African leaders approach the future of digital infrastructure in the coming decades. The question is not whether foreign technology partnerships have value—because they undeniably do. These partnerships bring technical expertise, investment, and innovation that African nations would struggle to develop on their own. However, the question that African leaders must answer is whether Africa will maintain strategic control over its own digital destiny or whether it will continue to accept the vulnerabilities of digital dependency.
If Africa does not begin to assert greater control over its digital future, it risks becoming permanently dependent on foreign actors. This is not just a theoretical concern; it is already happening. Over 90% of Africa’s data is hosted outside the continent, often in countries with differing regulatory frameworks, posing serious risks in terms of privacy, security, and access to information.
For example, when international companies have control over data infrastructure in Africa, they have the ability to set terms of service that are far removed from the needs of African governments or citizens. This means that when critical issues arise—such as data breaches, surveillance, or restrictions on the use of data—African countries often find themselves powerless to protect their interests.
The risks of maintaining such dependency go beyond mere inconvenience. In the event of geopolitical shifts, international data policies, or trade disputes, African nations could find themselves at the mercy of external entities. This could result in restricted access to their own data, limited ability to protect sensitive information, and a loss of control over critical national infrastructure.
For example, in the event of an international conflict or a new trade war, African nations might face sanctions or restrictions that prevent them from accessing vital digital systems. This would not only disrupt economic activities but also jeopardize essential public services, such as healthcare and education, which rely heavily on robust, secure digital infrastructures.
Moreover, African nations’ dependency on foreign technology and infrastructure exacerbates the continent’s digital divide. As African countries continue to rely on external digital solutions, they miss out on the opportunity to build local technological expertise and infrastructure. This prevents them from nurturing their own tech industries, creating local jobs, and contributing to global innovation.
For example, while multinational companies are building cloud storage solutions and digital services in Africa, the continent is not reaping the benefits of innovation in these areas. Local businesses, tech startups, and governments are often excluded from owning and controlling the technologies they rely on, making it more difficult for them to leverage these systems to meet local needs.
So, what should be the roadmap for Africa’s digital sovereignty?
- Conduct a Comprehensive Audit of Digital Dependencies: The first step for any African nation is to conduct a thorough audit of its digital dependencies. This audit should span all critical sectors—healthcare, education, finance, government services, infrastructure, and agriculture—and identify where data is being stored, processed, and managed. Governments should assess how much of this data is hosted abroad and under foreign control, and what risks this poses to national security, privacy, and economic stability. This will provide the foundational knowledge needed to take informed action.
- Develop National and Regional Data Sovereignty Frameworks: Based on the results of the audit, African nations must create clear data sovereignty frameworks that prioritize local control and governance of digital systems. These frameworks should include policies on data localization (storing and processing data within national borders), the creation of national and regional data centers, and the establishment of legal and regulatory mechanisms to protect citizens’ digital rights. In addition, countries should collaborate with regional bodies like the African Union (AU) to develop cross-border data management systems that enhance regional integration while safeguarding sovereignty.
- Invest in Digital Infrastructure and Capacity Building: Developing digital sovereignty is not just about policy; it’s about building the necessary infrastructure and technical capacity. Governments need to invest in local data centers, cloud storage solutions, and cybersecurity systems to ensure that data remains within national or regional borders. Additionally, it is crucial to develop the skills and capacity of local tech talent. African nations must prioritize education and training in fields like data science, software development, and cybersecurity to create a skilled workforce capable of managing and securing digital infrastructure.
- Strengthen Public-Private Partnerships: While the primary goal is to reduce dependency on foreign technology providers, it is unrealistic to expect that African nations can immediately replace foreign infrastructure with local solutions. Therefore, public-private partnerships will play a crucial role in the transition. Governments should work with African tech companies and startups to develop locally tailored digital solutions. These partnerships will allow African nations to leverage foreign expertise and investment while ensuring that ownership and control of critical infrastructure remain local.
- Prioritize Cybersecurity and Data Protection: With increasing digitalization comes the heightened risk of cyberattacks, data breaches, and exploitation. Therefore, African nations must prioritize robust cybersecurity measures and data protection laws that align with international best practices. Strengthening the cybersecurity capacity of African governments, businesses, and citizens will be essential to ensuring that locally stored data remains secure from external threats.
In conclusion, Africa’s digital future depends on its ability to take control of its own technological destiny. The crisis represented by Kenya’s health data challenges is just one example of the broader issue facing the continent. By auditing digital dependencies, developing data sovereignty frameworks, investing in infrastructure, and building local capacity, African nations can begin the process of reducing their reliance on foreign powers and take the reins of their own digital futures. This shift is not just a matter of technological independence; it is a matter of political, economic, and social sovereignty. Africa must seize this moment and ensure that it is not left behind in the global digital race.
The choice is ours. The time is now.
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Kojo Apeagyei is an award-winning AI Consultant and Policy Analyst facilitating AI innovation across Africa through Qhala, and driving responsible AI adoption in the UK energy industry. His work spans government advisory, business consulting, and research. Kojo earned an MSc in Data and Society from the London School of Economics.
Dr. Fred Mutisya is a practising medical doctor and an award-winning AI developer, currently undertaking a master’s in data science at the University of East London, and in Field Epidemiology, sponsored by the CDC. He is the Health Tech Lead at Qhala, leading work around Health AI sandboxes and AI models.
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