In 2025, deliberate internet shutdowns across sub-Saharan Africa cost the region an estimated US$1.11 billion, reflecting a significant economic toll from disruptions that affected millions of users and hindered digital-driven economic activity. These figures, drawn from the most recent Global Cost of Internet Shutdowns report, underscore the broader implications of connectivity restrictions on economic growth, innovation, and social participation across the continent.
According to analysts, the total loss of US$1.11 billion represents an economic impact from about 19,638 cumulative hours of deliberate internet disruptions that took place across sub-Saharan Africa in 2025, affecting roughly 116.1 million internet users. These shutdowns, ordered predominantly by governments, included full internet blackouts as well as targeted blocks on social media and messaging platforms that substantially curtailed digital communications and commerce.
Although this figure marked a decline from the US$1.56 billion lost in 2024, the cost remained substantial and continued to highlight the vulnerability of African economies to government-mandated connectivity restrictions. The downturn in total losses was attributed in part to shifts in the nature of shutdowns and the varying duration and severity of restrictions across countries, but experts caution that the financial and developmental consequences remained deeply disruptive.
Drivers of shutdowns and economic impacts
Governments have justified internet shutdowns for reasons ranging from maintaining public order during elections and protests to combating disinformation or safeguarding national security. However, these measures disrupt ordinary economic and social activity in ways that often extend beyond their intended targets. In 2025, the most affected nations experienced prolonged outages during particularly sensitive periods such as elections, political demonstrations, and civil unrest.
One of the most striking examples was Tanzania, where prolonged internet disruptions resulted in losses of approximately US$889.8 million. The shutdowns in Tanzania in 2025 reportedly lasted a cumulative 5,448 hours and impacted about 20.6 million users, making it Africa’s most costly internet outage episode. Authorities responded to protests and politically charged tension by throttling connectivity and restricting access to key platforms, crippling digital channels essential for communications.
Other countries also faced substantial impacts. The Democratic Republic of Congo lost over US$67 million after extended shutdowns disrupted connectivity for tens of millions of residents, while Sudan experienced around US$66.6 million in lost economic activity from widespread outages amid ongoing internal conflict. Cameroon and Togo incurred significant losses from shutdowns imposed during contested political periods and protests, affecting millions of users nationwide. Smaller states, such as Guinea-Bissau and South Sudan, also saw notable economic disruptions after extended connectivity restrictions.
Even short-duration shutdowns had measurable economic consequences. Kenya, for instance, lost an estimated US$3.4 million from a shutdown that lasted just a day but affected more than 23 million users, disrupting mobile payments, digital platforms, and communications networks relied on by businesses and citizens alike.
Broader economic and developmental effects
The economic losses from internet shutdowns are only part of a broader picture of harm. Analysts emphasize that the digital economy increasingly underpins activities such as e-commerce, online banking, remote work, digital content creation, and social commerce, all of which rely on reliable internet access. When connectivity is suddenly curtailed, these sectors suffer immediate revenue losses, business operations grind to a halt, and consumer confidence declines.
Shutdowns also affect telecommunications companies directly, as service disruptions reduce data usage and undermine operator revenues. In addition, many small and medium-sized enterprises, freelancers, and digital entrepreneurs depend on uninterrupted internet access to reach markets and clients. Restricting access thus reverberates through local economies, stalling innovation and eroding investor confidence in digital-first ventures.
Beyond economic costs, internet shutdowns also impinge on fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, access to information, and civic participation. Digital rights groups and international organizations have repeatedly warned that shutdowns, while sometimes framed as necessary for security or order, risk cutting off citizens from vital information, emergency services, educational resources, and essential communication during crises.
Balancing security and connectivity
The challenge for African states facing recurrent shutdowns is finding a balance between legitimate security concerns and the need to safeguard connectivity as a public good critical for inclusive development. Regional advocates are calling for clearer legal frameworks that prevent arbitrary shutdowns and protect digital rights, while also enhancing domestic capacity to mitigate cyber threats without resorting to widespread access restrictions.
As Africa continues its digital transformation, ensuring reliable internet access will be central to economic competitiveness, social inclusion, and democratic engagement. The $1.11 billion loss in 2025 serves as a stark reminder of the high economic price paid when connectivity is severed and the urgency of policies that support open, resilient digital ecosystems.