China’s surveillance technology is reshaping governance and civil liberties in Western and Southern Africa under the guise of diplomatic and developmental ties. This chapter critically examines how the proliferation of these tools erodes civil rights, deepens state control, and exploits weak regulatory frameworks in Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Employing a qualitative approach, it unpacks the intersection of digital diplomacy, political influence, and technological imperialism. By exposing China’s strategic “gaze,” the study highlights urgent ethical and sovereignty concerns, offering a compelling analysis of the region’s vulnerability to external tech dominance in the evolving digital age.