As foreign technology companies invest in data centers, cloud services, and AI systems across Africa, a debate is escalating over the degree of control African nations will have over their digital infrastructure. In April, ministers from the African Union convened in Tangier, Morocco, to discuss AI strategies, but the underlying question remains: how much influence will African countries exert over the technology upon which their economies could depend? The growing emphasis on ownership and governance reflects a broader shift in policy perspectives towards AI. For years, discussions centered on adoption and integrating the technology into government, business, and public services. Now, however, attention is shifting to questions of sovereignty, local capacity development, and equitable terms for AI deployment. Several African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and Ghana, have released national AI strategies that emphasize building indigenous expertise and reducing reliance on foreign providers. The African Declaration on Artificial Intelligence, endorsed by 49 nations and the African Union, calls for increased investment in local infrastructure, talent, and innovation alongside proposals for coordinated financing mechanisms. Nonetheless, translating ambition into effective policy has proven complex. In South Africa, a draft national AI policy was withdrawn earlier this year due to unverified references generated by AI tools. As global competition over AI intensifies, major technology companies, cloud providers, and governments vie for access to data, computing power, and new markets. This competition could provide African countries with opportunities to negotiate favorable terms. Priyal Singh, a geopolitical analyst at Signal Risk, contends that the fragmented nature of the global AI industry will offer African states greater leverage in their dealings with international tech firms. He cites regulatory tensions surrounding Starlink's expansion in parts of Africa as an example of governments becoming more assertive in shaping their relationships with foreign companies. However, influencing the digital future goes beyond politics; it also involves infrastructure. Africa remains significantly underrepresented in the global digital economy's physical backbone, accounting for less than one percent of worldwide data center capacity despite hosting approximately 18% of the world's population. Unreliable electricity supply across much of the continent poses a major challenge to expansion. As a result, negotiations over data centers and cloud infrastructure have become increasingly sensitive. One such closely monitored project is a proposed $1bn data center development involving Microsoft and Emirati technology company G42 in Kenya. The project has drawn attention due to concerns about its energy demands and commercial arrangements linked to computing capacity. Despite ongoing discussions, the ultimate outcome remains uncertain, highlighting the challenges governments face when balancing investment attraction with energy needs, financing costs, and long-term strategic dependence. Ultimately, the question of who shapes Africa's digital future transcends Western technology companies. Sanusha Naidu, a senior research fellow at the Institute for Global Dialogue, suggests that debates about diversification are more nuanced than they appear. "Whether it's seen as diversifying from Western tech companies or shifting towards Chinese-based companies," she says, "it's generally part of the cost-benefit factor." For policymakers, the key issue remains what is returned through these partnerships. Whether partnering with US, European, or Chinese companies, the focus should be on maximizing benefits for African nations in this rapidly evolving digital landscape.