Unmasking the Potential of Usable Security and Privacy Technologies in Empowering African Digital Landscapes

This paper comprehensively explores the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), usable security, and privacy technologies within the context of the rapidly digitising African continent. Recognising the increasing digitalisation in Africa, we assert the criticality of focusing on usable security and privacy features to ensure safe and meaningful user engagement. We systematically review existing literature, present five illustrative case studies across different sectors, including finance, health, education, agriculture, and internet services, and highlight their application within Africa's unique socio-cultural and economic realities. Our findings underscore the transformative potential of these technologies in enhancing user experiences, securing data, providing context-specific solutions, considering socio-cultural factors, and fostering accessibility and inclusivity. This paper argues for the vital role of user-friendly, context-specific, and culturally aware technology design in over-coming the digital divide, enhancing the adoption and trust of digital systems, and fostering an inclusive, secure digital ecosystem in Africa.