Africa Sees Unprecedented Internet Blackouts: Internet shutdowns in Africa reached a record high in 2024 as governments increasingly used digital blackouts to suppress communication and control information flow. A report by Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition documented 21 internet shutdowns across 15 African countries, surpassing the previous records of 19 shutdowns in both 2020 and 2021. This concerning trend highlights how internet access is being weaponized to limit freedom of expression and restrict access to information.

The report identified several African nations enforcing internet blackouts, including first-time offenders such as Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, and Mauritius. Repeat violators included Burundi, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, and Kenya, with Guinea, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tanzania also implicated. Beyond governments, militias, and other non-state actors also played a role in cutting off digital access, intensifying concerns about internet censorship.

Telecommunication and internet service providers complied with government directives, effectively enabling these rights violations. Felicia Anthonio, #KeepItOn campaign manager at Access Now, emphasized that companies have an ethical duty to resist unlawful shutdown orders in accordance with UN principles on business and human rights.

The report found that most shutdowns were imposed during times of political instability, protests, and conflicts. Elections were a major trigger, with governments aiming to control the spread of information and prevent organized opposition movements.

This pattern extended globally, with 296 internet shutdowns recorded across 54 countries in 2024, compared to 283 shutdowns in 39 countries the previous year. Access Now described this as the worst year for digital censorship since it began tracking shutdowns in 2016.

Internet shutdowns disrupt businesses, healthcare, emergency services, and communication among families. The Access Now report noted that since 2016, 1,754 shutdowns have occurred worldwide, often leaving communities isolated during critical moments of political unrest and violence.

By the end of 2024, at least five African countries had imposed year-long shutdowns. Uganda continued restricting Meta’s social media platforms despite discussions with company representatives. On the Equatorial Guinean island of Annobon, internet and mobile services have remained suspended since August 2024 following protests over environmental concerns and economic isolation.

In response to the growing crisis, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) passed a landmark resolution in March 2024, urging governments to stop imposing internet blackouts. However, despite this resolution, shutdowns continued to rise. Anthonio highlighted the increase in election-related blackouts, underscoring how governments still use digital censorship as a tool for control.

While setbacks persist, the ACHPR resolution remains a crucial advocacy tool. Some governments, such as Mauritius and South Sudan, reconsidered and reversed their shutdown decisions in early 2025, signaling that international pressure and human rights campaigns can drive change.

The rising trend of digital blackouts underscores the urgent need for global and regional efforts to safeguard internet freedom. Governments must be held accountable for restricting digital access, and service providers should resist pressure to comply with unlawful censorship orders.

A free and open internet is essential for democracy, human rights, and economic stability. Advocacy groups and international organizations must continue pushing for legal frameworks that prevent further digital blackouts. Although challenges remain, ongoing efforts to protect digital rights can pave the way for a more connected and informed society.