Digital rights group Paradigm Initiative (PIN) is raising alarms over Tanzania’s recent election-period internet blackout, its continued suspension of X (formerly Twitter), and “ongoing bandwidth throttling” that persists even after general connectivity was reportedly restored on November 3rd. PIN calls the disruptions “economically devastating and deeply damaging to digital rights.”
The group says this “blatant defiance” ignores calls from the Net Rights Coalition and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to avoid internet shutdowns. PIN notes the shutdowns are an “affront to freedom of expression and access to information,” citing articles 9 and 19 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, respectively.
The economic loss also violates the right to development under Article 22 of the African Charter, to which Tanzania is a party. The election shutdown followed an existing suspension of X, which began on May 21st, 2025.
According to the NetBlocks Cost of Shutdown Tool (COST), the combined economic impact of these two incidents has cost the Tanzanian economy more than US $238 million (Tsh 560 billion) in direct losses to productivity, trade, and digital services.
PIN provided a breakdown of the costs:
- Nationwide Internet Shutdown (Oct 29 – Nov 3): This total blackout, lasting 5 days and 6 hours (126 hours), cost an estimated US $72,333,826 (TZS 170.27 billion). That’s about US $13.8 million (TZS 32 billion) per day.
- X (Twitter) Suspension (May 21 – present): The platform block, active for 166 days and counting, has cost US $165,817,059 (TZS 390.33 billion), or nearly US $1 million (TZS 2.3 billion) per day.
The group noted other non-monetary losses, including socio-political and security issues, information black markets, health setbacks, and disruptions to the informal economy, which relies on mobile payments.
The NetBlocks COST model calculates these figures using World Bank, ITU, and Eurostat data, applying the Brookings Institution methodology to quantify direct economic harm. PIN notes the tool is “recognised globally” for its conservative, evidence-based estimates used by governments, the UN, and civil society researchers.
“Every shutdown chips away at trust, investment, and human potential,” said ‘Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative. “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 also reminded the Tanzanian government of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Resolution 580, which specifically calls on states to ensure unrestricted internet access in the period leading up to, during, and after elections.
The organization is calling on the Government of Tanzania to take the following steps to comply with human rights:
- Immediately restore internet access to X and all restricted platforms.
- Cease further internet or platform disruptions, especially during democratic processes.
- Internet Service Providers (ISPs) should guarantee network stability and freedom from interference, and publish transparency reports whenever they are ordered to shut down or throttle services by the State.
