Israel and Africa: The Spy Diplomacy and the Future of Relations
Israel, through the strategic use of its surveillance technologies, has transformed cyber intelligence into a cornerstone of its foreign policy. This approach, combining technological innovation and political pragmatism, has proven particularly effective in Africa, where the need for security and control often takes precedence for authoritarian or unstable governments. However, this strategy is not without risks: while Israel consolidates strategic alliances, accusations of complicity with repressive regimes and human rights violations continue to grow.
A Leading Industry Born in the Occupied Territories
Israel’s dominance in surveillance technology is no coincidence. It stems from its experience in the occupied Palestinian territories, where Tel Aviv has implemented sophisticated monitoring systems to control the population. Technologies developed in this context—such as facial recognition cameras, spyware for mobile devices, and communication tracking software—have been exported globally, becoming a multi-billion-dollar industry.
These tools have been tested in high-intensity conflict zones like Gaza and the West Bank, where Israel has honed its ability to collect real-time intelligence, prevent attacks, and neutralize threats. This has made its products highly attractive to governments facing internal security challenges, especially in Africa.
The Impact in Africa: Strategic Alliances and Technological Dependence
Israel has identified Africa as an ideal market for its surveillance technologies. The combination of political instability, terrorist threats, and institutional weaknesses has driven many countries to turn to Tel Aviv for advanced monitoring tools. The consequences of this choice, however, go far beyond the technological sphere.
UN Votes and International Recognition
Israel has leveraged “spyware diplomacy” to secure the political support of numerous African states in international forums. This is particularly evident in votes related to the Palestinian issue. While countries like South Africa and Algeria continue to strongly oppose Tel Aviv’s policies, others, such as Togo, Cameroon, Kenya, and Ghana, have been more supportive—often following agreements involving the transfer of cyber intelligence technologies.
A striking example is Israel’s support for its observer status at the African Union in 2021. Despite protests from some member states, Tel Aviv gained the backing of numerous governments through a network of relationships built around the provision of cyber-intelligence systems.
Strengthening Authoritarian Regimes
The use of spyware like Pegasus or Circles is not limited to counterterrorism or national security. In many cases, these technologies have been used to suppress dissent, intimidate journalists, and consolidate authoritarian regimes.
• Rwanda: President Paul Kagame used Pegasus to monitor dissidents both within the country and abroad. Surveillance allegedly targeted prominent international political figures, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, amid diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
• Equatorial Guinea: Israeli technology was used by President Teodoro Obiang to maintain control over one of the world’s most authoritarian regimes, characterized by violent repression and the complete absence of political opposition.
• Morocco: Rabat employed Pegasus to monitor political critics and even members of the royal family. This episode is linked to Morocco’s normalization of relations with Israel, achieved in exchange for U.S. recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Security or Surveillance?
The official justification for selling these technologies often centers on counterterrorism efforts. In countries like Nigeria and Kenya, Israel has offered tools to monitor rebel groups and combat threats such as Boko Haram or Al-Shabaab. However, the use of these tools for internal political purposes has raised questions about their actual destination.
International Implications: Ethics and Geopolitics
The growing dependence of many African countries on Israeli surveillance technologies raises questions about balancing security and human rights. While authoritarian governments find a reliable partner in Israel to consolidate power, human rights organizations denounce the erosion of fundamental freedoms.
The Pegasus Project
The Pegasus Project highlighted the extent of digital surveillance operations in Africa and beyond. The investigation, conducted by a consortium of international journalists, revealed that over 50,000 devices worldwide were “infected” by Israeli spyware, including those of political leaders, activists, and journalists. These revelations shook the international community, prompting calls for stricter regulation of these technologies.
Calls for a Moratorium
More than 150 human rights organizations have called for an immediate moratorium on the sale and use of spyware until a regulatory framework ensuring compliance with fundamental rights is adopted. However, many African governments continue to prioritize internal political stability over ethical considerations, perpetuating a cycle of technological dependence and repression.
An Uncertain Future: What Lies Ahead for Israel and Africa?
Looking ahead, Israel’s “spyware diplomacy” stands at a crossroads. On the one hand, technological innovation continues to strengthen its relationships with many African states, giving Tel Aviv increasing influence in a continent crucial to global geopolitical balances. On the other hand, growing international pressure for regulating cyber surveillance risks undermining the sustainability of this strategy.
For Israel, long-term success will depend on its ability to adapt to a global context increasingly attentive to digital rights protection. For Africa, the challenge will be to strike a balance between the need for security and safeguarding fundamental freedoms, avoiding the transformation of technology into a weapon against its own citizens.
In a world where diplomacy increasingly operates through technology, Israel remains a key player, but the costs of this leadership may prove higher than anticipated.
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