"The promise of technology as a vehicle for African economic development often comes wrapped in the values and norms of the Global North. Western-designed software, pervasive across the Continent, reflects ideologies that may not align with indigenous African values. Digital colonialism is the enfor
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cement of Silicon Valley software values and systems on African countries and indigenous communities that imposes values that can undermine local traditions and socio-political systems. A compelling solution to digital colonialism lies in the African philosophy of Ubuntu – a communitarian ethos emphasizing interconnectedness and mutual care. This philosophy is separate from the Ubuntu open-source software, which does have many tenants of the Ubuntu philosophy. The academic research paper 'Digital Coloniality' explores the concept of digital colonialism, its detrimental impact on African communities, and how applying an Ubuntu philosophic framework can lead to a more inclusive and ethical digital future." (Introduction)
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"[...] How does the sub-Saharan African philosophy of Ubuntu bring the concept of digital coloniality to light? The main aim of the article is to define the concepts of digital colonialism and digital coloniality, to provide clear examples thereof and to provide some guidelines for corrective interv
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entions and future theorisation on the phenomenon. The research is a conceptual study and concludes that the intended enforcement of Eurocentric software to maintain a postcolonial state can be regarded as digital colonialism. While unintended, the use of global software in indigenous communities can also often have negative effects." (Abstract)
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