A recent report from Top10VPN, a leading international VPN review site, revealed that Sub-Saharan African countries collectively lost a staggering $1.56 billion in 2024 due to government-enforced internet shutdowns.
This accounts for 19% of the global total of $7.69 billion lost to shutdowns, marking a slight improvement from the previous year, where the continent lost $1.74 billion.
Key Findings of the Report:
1. Countries Affected
The report highlights that 13 African countries were impacted by internet shutdowns in 2024, including Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Algeria, Guinea, Mauritania, Senegal, Mozambique, Chad, Mauritius, Tanzania, Papua New Guinea, and Equatorial Guinea. These disruptions were mainly due to political unrest, protests, and ongoing conflicts.
2. Sudan’s Heavy Losses
Sudan was the hardest-hit African country, losing $1.12 billion after enduring over 12,707 hours of internet shutdowns. These disruptions lasted more than 529 days, caused primarily by the prolonged conflict that has led to the deaths of over 13,000 people and displaced 10 million.
3. Nigeria Avoids Shutdowns
In a positive note, Nigeria was one of the few Sub-Saharan African nations that avoided any internet shutdowns in 2024. Experts believe this is a major win for the country’s citizens, as it means they could access information, communicate, and conduct online activities without government-imposed disruptions.
4. Impact in Other African Nations
In countries like Kenya and Ethiopia, internet shutdowns were implemented during protests. Ethiopia lost $211 million, and Kenya lost $75 million due to restrictions on popular social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Signal, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, affecting millions of users.
Global Perspective
Globally, Asia experienced the most significant losses, totaling $4.64 billion, as governments imposed shutdowns for 48,807 hours of internet disruptions. Sub-Saharan Africa followed with a loss of $1.56 billion, spread over 32,938 hours, affecting over 111 million people across the region.
Interestingly, while the global economic impact of internet shutdowns decreased by 16%, the duration of the disruptions increased by 12% compared to 2023.
The report emphasizes the severe impact of these shutdowns, not only on economies but also on human rights, as people are forced to use risky methods like unsafe VPNs to bypass these restrictions.
Why It Matters
The report also raises concerns about the human and economic costs of such restrictions. In Sub-Saharan Africa, many citizens rely on the internet for essential services like education, business, and communication.
These shutdowns not only disrupt daily life but also hinder economic growth, particularly in the digital economy.
For those looking to understand the global digital landscape better, including Nigeria’s success in avoiding such shutdowns, be sure to visit NIGPOST.
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