A recent report by Paradigm Initiative (PIN) reveals the devastating economic and social consequences of Tanzania’s internet disruptions during the recent election period.
The ongoing suspension of X (formerly Twitter) and reported bandwidth throttling, even after general connectivity was largely restored on November 3rd, has inflicted a heavy toll on the nation’s economy and severely undermined digital rights.
PIN highlights that these disruptions directly contravene international human rights agreements, including Articles 9 and 19 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantee freedom of expression and access to information.
Furthermore, the economic losses incurred through these shutdowns violate Article 22 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, concerning the right to development.
According to the NetBlocks Cost of Shutdown Tool (COST), the combined impact of the nationwide internet shutdown (October 29th to November 3rd, 2025) and the prolonged suspension of X (since May 21st, 2025) has cost the Tanzanian economy more than US $238 million (Tsh 560 billion).
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The nationwide total internet shutdown, which lasted from 29 October to 3 November 2025, spanning 5 days and 6 hours (126 hours), translates to a loss of at least US $72,333,826 (TZS 170.27 billion), which is about US $13.8 million (TZS 32 billion) per day.
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Suspension of X, which has been in force since 21 May 2025 (166 days and counting), translates to a loss of US $165,817,059 (TZS 390.33 billion), which is nearly US $1 million (TZS 2.3 billion) per day.
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Combined economic loss translates to over US $238 million (TZS 560 billion) in direct losses to productivity, trade, and digital services.
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Other losses include socio-political, security, information black markets, health setback, informal economy (mobile payments, etc), and more.
Beyond these quantifiable economic losses, PIN emphasizes a broader range of negative impacts, including socio-political instability, compromised security, the rise of information black markets, setbacks in the health sector, and disruptions to the informal economy, particularly mobile payments. The NetBlocks COST model, recognized globally for its conservative and evidence-based estimates, draws data from the World Bank, ITU, and Eurostat, utilizing the Brookings Institution methodology to quantify these harms.
‘Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative, underscored the gravity of the situation: “Every shutdown chips away at trust, investment, and human potential. Governments must realise that in today’s world, connectivity is the foundation of opportunity. Shutting down the internet silences citizens, stalls economies, and sets entire nations back.”
PIN reminds the Tanzanian government of its commitments under the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Resolution 580 on Internet Shutdowns and Elections in Africa, which mandates unrestricted and uninterrupted internet access before, during, and after elections.
In light of these critical concerns, Paradigm Initiative urgently calls on the Government of Tanzania to:
- Immediately restore internet access to X and all other restricted platforms.
- Cease all further internet or platform disruptions, especially during democratic processes.
- Ensure Internet Service Providers (ISPs) guarantee network stability and freedom from interference, and mandate them to publish transparency reports for any state-ordered service disruptions.