How Africa lost $1.12 billion to govt-imposed internet shutdowns in 2025

When a government orders an internet shutdown, what goes cold is more than the ability to send a few texts or connect to the rest of the world. The ultimate measuring stick is the financial setback inflicted on the people and the overall economy. 

Beyond the access to information and the debate over human rights lies the resources left unutilised, resulting from an economy forced to a partial or complete standstill.

While issues relating to rights to public information are legit concerns during internet disruptions, there’s a lasting impact on economic activity which affects the digital economy, mobile money operations, income losses and business enterprises.

During internet shutdowns, citizens are always unable to carry out financial operations, leading to a shortage in revenue for individuals and companies.

Uganda is a recent example of such a negative impact. During its 14-day internet shutdown in January, access to the internet was entirely restricted for the first four days. 

After the partial restriction, a report made by CEO EastAfrica Media revealed that the four-day internet shutdown may have wiped out approximately $7 million (UGX 24 billion) in data revenue for MTN and Airtel. 

Africa’s internet shutdowns in 2025 

In 2025, 12 African governments imposed internet shutdowns on their countries. These forced actions were used as tools during elections, as security measures to quell riots, and protests, to “control” social media content and so on. 

After the dust settles in 2025, about $1.12 billion was wiped off from the economies of the 12 countries, with the internet disruption lasting for a total of 24,335 hours, or approximately 1,014 days, according to a report by Top10VPN. 

Here’s a list of the countries that experienced internet blackouts and associated costs. 

1. Tanzania – $889.8 million 

The country ranks the highest in terms of financial loss due to internet shutdown. In fact, Tanzania is placed 5th globally in this category with 6,966 hours of internet blackout. 

Tanzania shut down X twice in 2025. The first came following an intense cyberattack on the official Tanzania Police Force (TANPOL) X account, while the second was a reaction to claims that X allows the distribution of pornographic content.

The East African country witnessed a high-profile, yet partial internet shutdown, following its October 29 general elections. The disruption lasted more than a week, resulting in a significant impact on business activities and electricity.

2. Congo DRC – $67.2 million

Congo DRC went offline for 3 days in January after rebels from the M23 movement said they had taken control of Goma following a quick advance against the Congolese army. In all, the country suffered about 1,008 hours of zero internet access.

3. Sudan – $66.6 million 

Social unrest in Sudan led to four cases of internet shutdowns in 2025 (January, July, September and November), totalling 2,148 hours of blackout.  The most recent was a Starlink blackout, which occurred between 8 and 9 November 2025, amid intensified fighting in the Kordofan and Fashe region of the country.

4. Cameroon – $40.5 million

The West African country recorded only one case of internet disruption. Following President Biya’s re-election in October, a youth-led protest, which had erupted before the election, became even more intense, warranting authorities to impose a curfew and shut down the web for 52 hours (2.17 days).

Read More: Cameroon suffers internet blackout amid protest over President Biya’s re-election.

5. Togo – $23.2 million 

Togo suffered a significant internet shutdown following political unrest and protests that started on June 26, 2025. Togolese authorities blocked major social media and messaging platforms and introduced slowed speeds aimed at curbing communication. The internet blackout lasted over 2,000 hours. 

6. Guinea-Bissau – $10.1 million

The 2025 shutdowns in Guinea-Bissau were triggered by a military coup, amid political unrest, and efforts by authorities to restrict information during electoral periods. The disruptions, lasting for 854 hours altogether, included blocked social media and limited connectivity, disrupted business and social communication.

7. South Sudan – $8.8 million 

South Sudan had its internet blackouts after authorities imposed a 90-day social media restriction, which started on January 22. However, it only lasted 5 days after the government lifted the temporary ban following the removal of violent videos circulating online depicting the alleged killings of South Sudanese nationals in Sudan. 

8. Kenya – $3.4 million

Kenya recorded the least number of internet restrictions in terms of duration (24 hours). While it’s unconfirmed, authorities were accused of throttling internet speeds and restricting access to platforms like Telegram during the nationwide anti-government protest on June 25, 2025.

9. Guinea – $2 million

Guinea restricted access to social media and other messaging platforms at the end of 2025 while awaiting election results. According to reports, this lasted 96 hours (4 days) in what the government described as measures towards national security and the spread of misinformation. 

10. Libya – $1.3 million 

Libya saw the shortest blackout of 11 hours which occurred in May 2025 in the country’s capital city, Tripoli. According to reports, the localised internet shutdown was triggered by anti-government demonstrations.

11. Equatorial Guinea – $1.1 million

The country recorded the highest internet shutdown in terms of duration 8,760 hours (12 months) Initiated in July/August 2024, the blackout was introduced in the Equatorial Guinean island of Annobón following local protests against environmental damage caused by a construction company. 

While some reports claimed that the internet shutdown lasted for 14 months (ending in September 2025), official reports said it ended in mid-2025. 

12. Papua New Guinea – $0.8 million

Two incidents account for the country’s 48-hour internet restriction. One was when authorities asked Starlink to shut down in December due to license issues. Some rural areas allegedly experienced internet disruption. 

Two. Reports noted there was a brief blockade of Facebook in July 2025, following the passage of the National Security (Amendment) Act 2024, which allows the government to monitor and restrict digital communications. 

Also Read: Inside Africa’s internet shutdown economy: why and who pays the price?

Globally, internet shutdowns wiped off $19.7 billion in the economies of 28 countries, representing a 156% year-on-year rise. Also, the 212 major government-imposed was the highest number recorded in a single year, accounting for 120,095 hours of internet disruption. 

Russia led the way with 57 shutdowns, with a financial loss of $11.9 billion that affected 146 million people. This made Russia the largest contributor to global economic losses in 2025.

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