The World Bank has issued a warning that Africa risks losing control of its digital future due to a heavy reliance on imported proprietary software, hindering digital sovereignty.

• A significant concern is the continent's dependency on externally controlled technology, which limits system flexibility and innovation.
• The World Bank's Digital Economy for Africa (DE4A) initiative highlights this structural barrier.
• This reliance stands in contrast to the global adoption of open-source software (OSS), which forms the backbone of modern infrastructure and offers customization for local needs.