• Internet shutdowns cost sub-Saharan Africa $1.11 billion in 2025, according to Top10VPN.
• Governments imposed 24,276 hours of disruptions, affecting 116.1 million users across the region.
• The Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and Cameroon recorded the highest economic losses.

Internet shutdowns and platform restrictions cost sub-Saharan Africa $1.11 billion in 2025, according to the Global Cost of Internet Shutdowns report published by Top10VPN. Globally, such disruptions generated $19.7 billion in losses, highlighting a growing scale of digital interference.

In sub-Saharan Africa, 2025 losses declined from $1.56 billion in 2024, but the financial impact remained significant. Authorities enforced shutdowns for 24,276 hours, and the disruptions affected 116.1 million internet users. Governments implemented most restrictions during elections, protests, school examinations, and military coups.

Most affected countries

The Democratic Republic of the Congo recorded the highest losses in Africa, with $67.2 million in economic damage. Authorities disrupted connectivity for 1,008 hours, affecting 34.7 million users.

Sudan reported $66.6 million in losses over 2,148 hours of shutdowns, despite affecting a smaller number of users estimated at 14.9 million. The duration of the interruptions amplified the economic impact.

Cameroon incurred $40.5 million in losses, as authorities disrupted access for 52 hours, affecting 12.6 million users.

Governments frequently targeted social media platforms such as Twitter, Telegram, TikTok, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Authorities used these restrictions to limit communication, commerce, and access to information. In some cases, governments imposed intentional slowdowns that made multimedia content and live broadcasts nearly inaccessible.

How are these losses calculated?

The report said analysts calculated the economic cost of shutdowns using the Netblocks Cost of Shutdown Tool, developed by Netblocks and based on a methodology designed by the Brookings Institution, adapted for sub-Saharan Africa.

Analysts estimated losses using digital GDP, disruption duration, and the number of affected users. Researchers sourced data from the World Bank and official government statistics. The report said analysts applied social media restrictions to the entire internet user base because platform bans disrupt overall access, including for users who do not actively use blocked services.

A major obstacle to digital transformation

These losses illustrate the economic cost of internet shutdowns across sub-Saharan Africa. As governments invest in digital transformation to close development gaps, deliberate connectivity disruptions continue to undermine innovation and competitiveness.

Shutdowns also reduce revenues for telecom operators, digital-dependent businesses, and households, and they limit growth potential in an increasingly connected global economy.

In a statement published in January 2026, UNESCO said access to the internet represents a pillar of freedom of expression and a core component of democratic participation. The organization urged governments to adopt policies that promote connectivity rather than impose restrictions.

Samira Njoya