Emerging Technology
day one project

Countering China’s Monopolization of African Nations’ Digital Broadcasting Infrastructure

08.16.21 | 2 min read | Text by George Sarpong & Ishan Sharma

Summary

The majority of people living in the African continent access their news and information from broadcasted television and radio. As African countries follow the directive from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to migrate from analog to digital broadcasting, there is an urgent need to sequester the continent’s broadcast signal distributors (BSDs).1 BSDs provide the necessary architecture for moving broadcasted content (e.g., television and radio) into the digital sphere.

Most BSDs in Africa are owned and operated by Chinese companies. Of 23 digitally migrated countries, only four BSDs (Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea, and Zimbabwe) are officially known to be outside the influence of China-based companies. The implicit capture of the BSD marketplace by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) threatens African democracies and could undermine international partnerships among African nations and with the United States. Excessive Chinese control over African BSDs also raises security concerns and impedes establishment of a robust, competitive, and rules-based global market in communications infrastructure.

The United States should therefore consider the following actions to support African civil society, media regulators, and legislators in securing an information ecosystem that advances democratic values:

publications
See all publications
Emerging Technology
Issue Brief
Report
Fueling the Bioeconomy: Clean Energy Policies Driving Biotechnology Innovation

The transition to a clean energy future and diversified sources of energy requires a fundamental shift in how we produce and consume energy across all sectors of the U.S. economy.

07.02.25 | 13 min read
read more
Emerging Technology
Blog
Translating Vision into Action: FAS Commentary on the NSCEB Final Report and the Future of U.S. Biotechnology

Advancing the U.S. leadership in emerging biotechnology is a strategic imperative, one that will shape regional development within the U.S., economic competitiveness abroad, and our national security for decades to come.

06.27.25 | 15 min read
read more
Emerging Technology
day one project
Policy Memo
Measuring and Standardizing AI’s Energy and Environmental Footprint to Accurately Access Impacts

Inconsistent metrics and opaque reporting make future AI power‑demand estimates extremely uncertain, leaving grid planners in the dark and climate targets on the line

06.27.25 | 15 min read
read more
Emerging Technology
day one project
Policy Memo
A Holistic Framework for Measuring and Reporting AI’s Impacts to Build Public Trust and Advance AI 

As AI becomes more capable and integrated throughout the United States economy, its growing demand for energy, water, land, and raw materials is driving significant economic and environmental costs, from increased air pollution to higher costs for ratepayers.

06.26.25 | 15 min read
read more