As cities throughout Africa strive for modernization and digital advancement, the idea of “smart cities” has emerged as a key element in national development plans. From Accra and Kigali to, and Lagos and Nairobi, governments are investing money into infrastructure that combines technology, data, and innovation to enhance urban life. Yet, beneath the polished tech centers and digital governance is a hidden significant vulnerability which is security.
Although smart cities intend to enhance efficiency and improve the quality of life, the swift adoption of digital infrastructures without strong security protocols could leave urban areas vulnerable to emerging terrorist threats (Control Risks, 2018). The combination of unplanned expansion, gaps in digital infrastructure, and social inequality creates an environment conducive to the rise of new terror threats.
Furthermore, urban growth in numerous African nations has brought about significant security issues, including the rise of extremist violence, organized crime, and civil unrest, underscoring the importance of aligning smart development with inclusive and resilient urban governance (Otu, 2023).
Urbanization and Extremism: A Growing Risk
Urbanization in Africa is progressing at an unmatched speed. As per predictions from the United Nations, over 60% of the African population is anticipated to live in urban regions by 2050. Nevertheless, this swift growth is frequently chaotic and inconsistent, leading to overcrowded informal settlements, rampant youth unemployment, and insufficient infrastructure. These urban realities, especially in slums and marginalized areas, are increasingly being utilized by extremist groups for recruitment, mobilization, and hiding (Africa Center for Strategic Studies, 2024).
Researchers have observed that African cities are increasingly characterized by “pseudo-urbanization,” where higher population densities do not correspond with increased economic prospects or enhanced services, leading to ongoing insecurity (Otu, 2023). In places like northern Nigeria and Cameroon’s Far North, violent extremism has been intensified by the inability of urban systems to effectively incorporate migrants and at-risk youth (Otu, 2023). These trends illustrate how mismanaged urban expansion jeopardizes both safety and sustainable development.
Tech-Driven Cities, Security-Lagging Systems
Initiatives for smart cities across Africa seek to improve urban living by incorporating technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices, surveillance technology, big data analytics, and automated infrastructure to oversee traffic, utilities, and public services. Nonetheless, in many instances, these systems are disjointed, inadequately maintained or only available in a limited number of affluent districts, resulting in a misleading sense of security. For instance, although Accra’s CCTV network may monitor major intersections, densely populated areas like Nima, Agbogbloshie, and Madina frequently lack any type of digital surveillance.
The lack of extensive cybersecurity protocols in these smart systems exacerbates the potential threats. Research indicates that 98% of Internet of Things (IoT) traffic remains unencrypted, making networks susceptible to interception and manipulation (Wajnc, 2024). Furthermore, the pace of urban growth has outstripped digital integration in numerous cities. As noted in smart city research, while information and communication technologies (ICTs) such as cloud computing, IoT, and data analytics can enhance urban governance, implementing them without secure frameworks creates significant vulnerabilities (Yin et al., 2015).
The Risk of Cyber-Physical Attacks
The advancement of smart grids, digital governance platforms, and automated public services opens up new vulnerabilities: cyber-physical attacks. As African cities modernize essential systems such as electricity, water, and transportation, the risk of being targeted by extremists or state-sponsored actors rises. Cyberattacks on public infrastructure can lead to disorder, erode public trust in government, and create avenues for physical assaults. However, cybersecurity often ranks low on the priority list of urban planning initiatives.
Additionally, the insecurity faced in African urban areas arises not just from terrorism but also from deep-rooted governance issues, weak law enforcement, and the politicization of security (Otu, 2023). Consequently, a robust smart city must tackle both technological challenges and socio-political factors contributing to insecurity.
The Policy Blind Spot
Despite the increasing danger of urban terrorism, the majority of counter-terrorism strategies in West Africa predominantly concentrate on rural insurgencies and border protection. This emphasis is understandable, as many extremist movements have emerged from marginalized and poorly governed areas like the Sahel.
However, the security environment is evolving, with militant organizations increasingly focusing on urban areas that contain essential infrastructure, government facilities, and large populations. This oversight is reflected in the planning of smart cities. According to Yin et al. (2015), numerous governments and stakeholders have embraced a technocratic perspective on smart cities, frequently neglecting the socio-political and security intricacies of actual urban life. As cities rely more on integrated ICT systems, it is crucial for governance, urban planning, and counter-terrorism initiatives to be aligned to prevent comprehensive failures.
Recommendations: Securing the Smart City
To effectively protect African cities in the age of smart technology and evolving terror threats, governments must adopt a holistic and forward-looking security strategy. The following recommendations outline practical and context-relevant actions:
• Establish Urban Intelligence Cells
Urban security cannot depend exclusively on national intelligence agencies, which are frequently overstretched or more concerned with rural insurgencies. There is a necessity for localized, city-based intelligence units that can operate with a profound understanding of their context. These teams should incorporate various stakeholders, including law enforcement personnel, cybersecurity experts, urban planners, community leaders, and intelligence analysts. Their primary goal should be to identify threats unique to urban settings, such as radicalization within informal settlements, suspicious online behaviors, or emerging weaknesses in public infrastructure. These units should act as early warning systems, capable of gathering real-time intelligence, analyzing trends, and coordinating swift responses across different agencies.
• Secure Digital Infrastructure.
Smart city systems, including intelligent traffic management, water distribution networks, e-governance platforms, and surveillance systems, heavily rely on digital connectivity, making them appealing targets for cyber threats. Consequently, every smart infrastructure initiative must undergo thorough cybersecurity evaluations prior to deployment. These evaluations should encompass vulnerability assessments, data transmission encryption, multi-factor authentication, and access control measures. Furthermore, governments need to establish regular security audits and allocate resources for real-time threat detection systems. In addition, routine scenario-based simulation drills should be performed to assess preparedness, coordinate responses, and enhance system resilience against both digital and hybrid (cyber-physical) threats.
• Strengthen Community-Based Surveillance
Security technologies are only effective when combined with on-the-ground human intelligence. Many urban threats, such as the early stages of radicalization or suspicious gatherings, are more likely to be noticed by community members than by surveillance systems. Therefore, governments should build structured partnerships with local leaders, neighborhood watch groups, youth associations, faith-based organizations, and representatives from informal settlements. These actors can serve as trusted eyes and ears in areas where formal state presence is limited. Their knowledge of local dynamics, identities, and behavior patterns makes them essential contributors to early detection and prevention. To make these systems sustainable and effective, it is important to incentivize community reporting, ensure protection for whistleblowers, and integrate feedback into national databases.
• Encourage Digital Inclusion
The development of smart cities frequently prioritizes commercial hubs and neighborhoods with middle to high income, often neglecting underserved and informal communities where the risk of radicalization is greater. This gap in digital access not only restricts service availability but also generates frustration and feelings of exclusion, which extremist organizations can exploit to garner support or enlist new members. Governments must ensure that digital infrastructure, including public Wi-Fi, e-services, digital literacy initiatives, and surveillance systems, is made available to every part of the city. Closing this divide enhances trust in public institutions, fosters social unity, and guarantees that all residents benefit equally from advancements in smart city technology.
• Strengthen Cybersecurity Capabilities
City security agencies and local governments need to significantly improve their ability to handle cyber threats. This entails providing training for frontline staff such as law enforcement personnel, city employees, IT teams, and emergency response units in both fundamental and advanced cyber defense skills. These personnel should be able to identify phishing scams, data leaks, and system breaches, as well as respond promptly and effectively. Furthermore, governments ought to collaborate with private technology companies, educational institutions, and community organizations to create customized cybersecurity training programs and knowledge-sharing resources. Cultivating a robust network of local cybersecurity experts ensures that smart cities can safeguard themselves without relying heavily on outside consultants.
Conclusion
As African cities rapidly transform into digital centers, the need to reconsider urban security has become increasingly pressing. While smart city technologies offer advancements and efficiencies, they also present new risks, particularly when development outpaces security considerations. Extremist organizations are adjusting to these changes, taking advantage of urban anonymity, digital disparities, and oversight in policy.
To create genuinely resilient cities, governments must expand their approach beyond conventional counter-terrorism strategies and adopt inclusive, data-driven, and community-oriented security frameworks. Incorporating cybersecurity, urban intelligence, and digital equity into the planning of smart cities is not merely advisable; it is crucial. The future of African cities hinges not only on their advancement in intelligence but also on how securely, equitably and strategically they are safeguarded.
References
- Africa Center for Strategic Studies. (2024). Africa’s Unprecedented Urbanization is Shifting the Security Landscape. Retrieved from https://africacenter.org/spotlight/africa-urban-growth-security/
- Control Risks. (2018). Urban Terrorism and Future Cities. Retrieved from https://www.controlrisks.com/our-thinking/insights/urban-terrorism-and-future-cities
- ITSS Verona. (2025). Assessing the Cybersecurity Challenges of Smart Cities. Retrieved from https://www.itssverona.it/assessing-the-cybersecurity-challenges-of-smart-cities
- Otu, O. A. (2022). URBANIZATION AND INSECURITY IN AFRICA: ISSUES, PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS. ESCET Journal of Educational Research and Policy Studies, 3(2), 27-47.
- Wajnc, D. (2024). Cybersecurity in Smart Cities: Securing the Future of Urban Living. Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cybersecurity-smart-cities-securing-future-urban-living-wajnc
- Yin, C., Xiong, Z., Chen, H., Wang, J., Cooper, D., & David, B. (2015). A literature survey on smart cities. Science China. Information Sciences, 58(10), 1-18.
