Digital Tools Widening Inequality, Undermining Democracy in Africa

The increasing reliance on digital tools is driving divisions and deepening inequality in Africa, according to Juana Kweitel, Vice President and Chief Programme Officer at Luminate. Speaking at the Media and Development Conference in Abuja, Kweitel warned that the coming decade will be crucial in determining whether technology strengthens or undermines democratic life across the continent.

While digital tools have expanded civic participation and created new opportunities, they are now being used to fuel division and widen inequality. Kweitel noted that a handful of technology companies have become de facto gatekeepers of democracy, shaping public debate, defining truth, and influencing civic behavior. These companies’ engagement-driven algorithms prioritize virality over accuracy, posing profound risks to human rights, privacy, and non-discrimination.

The concentration of power in the hands of a few private companies is also leading to rising digital violence, particularly against women. According to Kweitel, nearly 90% of women who experience online abuse either withdraw from digital platforms or suffer self-harm. A 2025 UN report found that 28% of women surveyed reported receiving rape, beating, or abduction threats online.

Kweitel also highlighted the issue of artificial intelligence, which reflects the dominance of wealthy, English-speaking developers. These systems erase local context, overlook indigenous knowledge, and reinforce historical inequalities. The digital world is shaped largely by biased data, which reproduces and depends on existing inequalities.

Africa is at a critical juncture, confronting deep structural inequalities, fragile institutions, and limited capacity to regulate powerful tech companies. Kweitel emphasized the need for collaboration among newsrooms, civil society, policymakers, and regulators to build a fairer digital future. Journalists, in particular, must remain steadfast in public-interest reporting and understand technology as a force reshaping every aspect of society.

The Media and Development Conference, which runs from November 24 to 27, 2025, brings together journalists, policymakers, researchers, diplomats, civil society leaders, and technology experts to discuss governance, development, and Africa’s evolving information ecosystem. The conference will explore topics such as democratic resilience, media sustainability, digital rights, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence on public life. With delegates from over a dozen African countries in attendance, the conference aims to address the challenges posed by rapid technological disruption and shrinking civic space.