This chapter shows the value of international relations (IR) theory in analysing the intensifying digital competition between the United States and China on the African continent. This chapter advocates for a pluralistic approach that draws on realism, constructivism, world-systems analysis, and postcolonialism. Each theoretical lens offers a distinct analytical perspective, revealing different dimensions of the geopolitical, economic, and normative dynamics at play. Rather than privileging a single framework, this chapter emphasizes the pedagogical and analytical utility of theoretical diversity in understanding complex global phenomena. This chapter specifically demonstrates how theoretical pluralism enhances our grasp of the digital competition between the United States and China on the African continent and invites readers to critically assess the usefulness of each perspective.