The China-Africa Security Radar published on 17 May 2026 a commentary titled "Chinese Clean Tech Is Raising Alarm Bells in the West--Should Africa Be Worried Too?"
Western governments are raising concerns about the impact of Chinese-supplied digitally connected electric vehicles and solar power inverters connected to the internet. They have the potential to harvest large amounts of geospatial and personal data.
The United States and certain European countries are banning some of this Chinese equipment. China counters that these are excuses to protect less competitive Western products. These Chinese products are being woven even more deeply into African markets and raise questions about data protection.
