Framed within the authoritarian diffusion theory, this chapter explores how the perceived success of China’s model of digital control entices African states. While acknowledging concerns about the negative relationship of Chinese digital technologies with internet freedom, digital authoritarianism and neo-colonialism, this chapter reveals that African governments actively procure these technologies to address pressing domestic public security challenges such as crime, terrorism, banditry, piracy and infrastructure deficits. This agency, however, is often exercised within a context of weak legislative and institutional frameworks for data protection, creating opportunities for abuse and manipulation. Consequently, there is an urgent need for strengthening African agency to promote inclusive digital governance that safeguards individual liberties and counters the potential for digital authoritarianism.