Internet shutdowns surged across Africa in 2024, with authorities increasingly cutting access to control protests, manipulate elections, and suppress dissent.
A new report by Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition reveals a record 21 shutdowns across 15 African countries—the highest ever recorded in a single year for the region.
Why it matters
Internet blackouts threaten democracy and human rights, leaving millions disconnected, obscuring human rights abuses, and deepening crises during conflicts.
The numbers
- 296 internet shutdowns were recorded globally across 54 countries in 2024.
- 21 shutdowns impacted 15 African nations, with new offenders like Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, and Mauritius joining the list.
- Protests were the leading trigger for shutdowns, with 12 shutdowns across 9 countries linked to political unrest.
The biggest offenders
- Ethiopia: Despite claims of restoration, internet access in Tigray and Amhara remains far below pre-conflict levels.
- Uganda: Facebook has been blocked for the fourth consecutive year.
- Kenya: Authorities blocked Telegram during national exams for the second year and shut down access during protests, impacting Burundi and Rwanda.
- Mozambique & Equatorial Guinea: Governments imposed curfew-style shutdowns and platform blocks during protests.
The silver lining
- The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) passed Resolution 580, urging governments to ensure open internet access, especially during elections.
- Mauritius rescinded a social media ban following civil society pressure.
The bottom line
Internet shutdowns are increasingly used as a tool for repression and censorship. Advocates warn that governments must be held accountable to protect freedom of expression, access to information, and digital rights.
