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This paper examines the future of sovereignty in a digital and geopolitically contested age and explores the conceptual and empirical development of digital sovereignty in the governance of the digital space. It is argued that digital sovereignty has emerged as a critical concept in international relations, challenging the traditional doctrine of sovereignty and the ability of state actors to exercise control in global governance. Using data from textual content analysis and anchored on the theoretical construct of political realism, the complex nature of digital sovereignty, relating to the intersectionality of several variables, including security, politics, economy, sociocultural, legal, environmental, and human rights, is highlighted. The paper further examines the different interests that motivate digital sovereignty, including the protection of citizens' rights, competitiveness in cyberspace for strategic public interests, and the dilemma of data colonialism in Africa. The paper concludes that there is a need for an all-encompassing framework to regulate the digital sphere while preserving individual liberties and national sovereignty, given the increasing power of non-state actors.

Digital sovereignty, global governance, national security, data colonialism, political realism,