In 2024, sub-Saharan African countries collectively lost $1.5 billion due to Internet shutdowns, representing 19% of the global total of $7.69 billion in losses caused by such disruptions. The year saw a total of 28 Internet shutdowns across 28 countries worldwide, with 13 of these occurring in Africa. Affected countries included Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Algeria, Guinea, Mauritania, Senegal, Mozambique, Chad, Mauritius, Tanzania, Papua New Guinea, and Equatorial Guinea.
Sudan bore the brunt of these losses, with an estimated $1.12 billion in economic damage caused by prolonged Internet shutdowns. These disruptions lasted for more than 12,707 hours, or over 529 days, significantly impacting communication, business operations, and daily life. The Internet shutdowns in Sudan are primarily linked to the ongoing conflict in the country, which has claimed the lives of 13,000 people and displaced over 10 million individuals, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
These shutdowns in Africa highlight the severe economic consequences of Internet disruptions, affecting not only the immediate regions but also the broader global economy. The impact on businesses, education, and communication underscores the broader challenge of balancing security concerns with the need for access to critical digital infrastructure.
In the wake of growing unrest, Kenyan President William Ruto chose not to sign the Finance Bill into law and dismissed most of his government, vowing to implement reforms and prioritize national unity. Despite these steps, many protesters continued to demand more significant changes, including calls for Ruto’s resignation.
While the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) reassured the public that there were no plans to shut down the Internet or disrupt connectivity, NetBlocks confirmed a major disruption in the country’s Internet services during this period.
The leading cause of Internet shutdowns in Africa remains conflicts, a stark contrast to Asia, where the primary reason for disruptions in 2024 was elections. While global losses from Internet shutdowns have decreased since 2022—from $24.61 billion to $7.69 billion—African countries have consistently ranked among the hardest hit, reflecting the ongoing political and social instability in the region.