Nigeria has become Africa’s largest investor in AI-powered surveillance systems, spending over $470 million out of a continental total of about $2.1 billion, according to a 2026 report by the Institute of Development Studies. The study examined surveillance deployments across 11 African countries and found widespread adoption of facial recognition, automatic number plate recognition, and smart city camera systems. Nigeria alone accounts for roughly 10,000 more smart cameras than any other country in the study group, reflecting its heavy investment in digital security infrastructure. Despite this expansion, researchers reported little evidence that increased surveillance has led to meaningful reductions in crime or improved prosecution outcomes. The report also highlights major regulatory gaps, noting that none of the countries studied has comprehensive legal frameworks for balancing surveillance with data protection and human rights. It calls for stronger oversight, clearer laws, and independent monitoring mechanisms to improve accountability and effectiveness.
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