
Internet shutdowns : Africa loses $1.5 billion in 2024📡
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Internet shutdowns, along with restrictions on access to social media, continue to harm Africa’s digital economy. According to the Global Cost of Internet Shutdowns report published by the Top10VPN platform, sub-Saharan Africa lost $1.56 billion in 2024 due to these interruptions.
The impact of Internet shutdowns in Africa 🌍
In 2024, sub-Saharan Africa experienced significant economic losses. This situation is particularly concerning because the digital economy is one of the key drivers of development on the continent. These shutdowns affect not only individual users but also businesses and telecom operators.
Although a decrease in losses was observed in 2024 compared to 2023 ($1.74 billion), the phenomenon remains alarming. In 2024, Internet shutdowns lasted a total of 32,938 hours, impacting 111.2 million people. These interruptions often occur during times of political crises or social unrest, hindering the growth of local digital markets and increasing economic instability in affected countries.
Countries most affected by shutdowns 🌍
Among the countries most impacted by these shutdowns, Sudan stands out with a loss of $1.12 billion, representing 71.8% of the total losses recorded in sub-Saharan Africa. These interruptions, lasting 12,707 hours, directly affected 23.4 million people. The situation is attributed to Sudanese authorities’ efforts to contain popular protests and restrict the spread of information. In Ethiopia, shutdowns cost $211.2 million, while in Kenya, losses amounted to $75 million.
The restrictions mainly target social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp. These platforms play a crucial role in managing economic activities and disseminating local and international information. When governments block or slow down these services, they create a digital environment that is unfavorable for development.
Calculating the economic losses 💰
The Top10VPN report explains that the economic losses caused by shutdowns are calculated using the Netblocks Cost of Shutdown Tool. This tool is based on a methodology developed by the Brookings Institution. It takes into account the digital GDP of each region, the duration of the interruptions, and the number of affected internet users. The data is sourced from reliable organizations such as the World Bank and government authorities. For restrictions on social platforms, the losses are estimated based on the total number of internet users in each region.
A barrier to digital transformation🚫
These massive shutdowns have consequences far beyond immediate financial losses. They slow down digital transformation. Africa is thus held back by interruptions that undermine the competitiveness of businesses and local innovation.
Internet and social media restrictions also force users to turn to solutions like VPNs (virtual private networks) to bypass imposed limitations. However, these practices can lead to risks related to data security and the integrity of online communications. Moreover, they exacerbate social inequalities.
What about you ?
What can Africa do to improve this situation? Share your solutions in the comments ☺️
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