Configuration of African Cyber Power: Three Conceptual Precepts

Abstract

This paper flows from an interdisciplinary research project at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) on the design of an African-specific framework for configuring and assessing cyber power. The project advocates a nuanced and contextual approach to analysing, evaluating, understanding and enhancing cyber power in the African context, addressing the continent's unique challenges and leveraging cyber capacities for a triad of developmental, defensive, and offensive purposes. It is specifically contended that the imperative of a developmental component of cyber power distinguishes African states from the cyber power configurations of developed nations. At this very early stage of the project, the emphasis is on conceptualising theoretical constructs that can direct the design of the African cyber power triad. This paper forms part of the said theoretical quest and addresses the following problem statement: what are some primary precepts for designing an African cyber power triad? We identify and tentatively describe  three precepts, namely: 1) the intentional relation between power and policy in the configuration of cyber power; 2) the centrality of national interests and security in cyber power; and 3) the imperative of optimising cyber power through the levering of asymmetric and interlocking advantages. The paper is categorically qualified as exploratory in nature and does not purport to comprehensively describe the three precepts. Instead we only advance some contours towards the academic discourse.  The veracity and detailing of the proposed precepts are thus part of the ongoing research agenda.