Government-ordered internet shutdowns cost economies across sub-Saharan Africa about $1.11 billion in 2025, highlighting the growing economic risks of digital blackouts as the continent’s reliance on online services deepens.
The losses were recorded across several African countries where authorities restricted internet access during elections, protests, conflicts and security crises, according to the Global Cost of Internet Shutdowns report by Top10VPN.
Across the region, shutdowns lasted a combined 24,276 hours and disrupted access for more than 116 million internet users, the report found. While Africa accounted for just a fraction of global losses, the impact remains significant because many economies on the continent depend heavily on mobile connectivity for daily commerce, financial services and communication.
Globally, internet shutdowns caused $19.7 billion in economic damage in 2025, affecting 28 countries and marking a sharp rise from the previous year. The figures highlight what digital rights groups describe as a growing global trend in which governments increasingly use connectivity restrictions to control the flow of information during politically sensitive events.
Tanzania records Africa’s biggest losses
Among African countries, Tanzania recorded the largest economic loss, estimated at about $889.8 million, after authorities imposed widespread internet restrictions during politically sensitive periods linked to elections and protests.
The shutdowns lasted a cumulative 5,448 hours, affecting roughly 20.6 million users, making it the most expensive digital blackout on the continent in 2025.
Analysts say the restrictions significantly disrupted business operations, online media activity and mobile financial services. Conflict and instability drive shutdowns Other countries also experienced significant losses as governments restricted internet access during periods of political instability or armed conflict.
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In the Democratic Republic of Congo, shutdowns linked to security tensions and conflict led to estimated economic losses of $67.2 million. In Sudan, repeated connectivity disruptions during the ongoing civil conflict contributed to losses estimated at $66.6 million, reflecting the heavy digital disruption caused by prolonged instability. In Cameroon, shutdowns imposed during political tensions and demonstrations cost the economy about $40.5 million, according to the report.
Smaller economies also recorded shutdown-related losses. Togo lost roughly $23 million due to internet restrictions imposed during political protests, while Guinea-Bissau experienced losses estimated at about $10 million following shutdown incidents linked to political tensions. Other countries in the region recorded smaller but still measurable economic losses from internet disruptions during the year.
Telecom operators caught in the middle
Telecommunications operators such as MTN, Airtel, Orange and Vodafone subsidiaries typically have little choice but to implement government directives to block or restrict internet services.
Regulators often require telecom companies to comply with shutdown orders, and failure to do so could result in heavy penalties or the loss of operating licences. For operators, shutdowns also translate into reduced data traffic and lost revenue. Mobile data has become one of the most important revenue streams for telecom companies across Africa.
Industry analysts say repeated shutdowns could also discourage investment in digital infrastructure such as fibre networks and data centres.
Digital economies increasingly vulnerable
The economic damage from shutdowns is rising because digital services now play a central role in many African economies. Mobile money platforms, e-commerce marketplaces, online transport services and digital banking systems all depend on uninterrupted connectivity.
When networks are blocked or slowed, businesses cannot process payments, logistics systems are disrupted and communication platforms used by journalists and civil society groups stop working.
The effect can ripple through entire economies, particularly in countries where mobile networks serve as the backbone of financial transactions.
Global trend toward digital control
The African experience mirrors a broader global pattern. The Top10VPN report shows that internet shutdowns worldwide caused nearly $20 billion in economic losses in 2025, representing a dramatic increase compared with the previous year.
Russia accounted for the largest share of global losses due to widespread restrictions during the year, while other countries including Venezuela and Myanmar also imposed repeated shutdowns.
Digital rights advocates warn that shutdowns are becoming more sophisticated. Rather than imposing complete nationwide blackouts, governments increasingly rely on targeted restrictions such as blocking specific social media platforms or throttling internet speeds to make online services difficult to use.
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Rising pressure to limit shutdowns
The growing economic cost of internet shutdowns is placing pressure on governments to reconsider the practice. Across Africa, policymakers are trying to expand digital economies, promote fintech innovation and attract technology investment.
However, analysts say repeated connectivity restrictions risk undermining those ambitions. As Africa’s internet penetration continues to grow, the financial impact of shutdowns is expected to rise.
What once disrupted mainly communication and social media now affects banking systems, government services, international trade and the operations of multinational technology companies. For many countries, the choice may increasingly come down to balancing political control with the economic benefits of an open and reliable internet.
