Socio-economic implications of internet shutdown in Tanzania

Abstract

Internet shutdowns are measures taken by a government or on its behalf to intentionally disrupt access to digital communication channels, primarily driven by political and national security concerns. Governments put internet shutdowns in place by ordering internet service providers to disrupt their services. This study examines the socio-economic implications of the internet shutdown in Tanzania with particular reference to the Tanzanian countrywide shutdown in the 2025 general elections through the lenses of Network Society Theory, which posits that information flows are the primary drivers of productivity, social interaction, and governance in contemporary societies. The study evaluated the economic, governance, and human rights implications of digital disruptions by drawing on secondary data from academic literature, reports by civil society groups, news media, and international agencies. Data were collected through a systematic literature search conducted between 2020 and 2025. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data collected, and this involved an organisation of each finding with systematic coding and categorization of findings across the sources. The findings reveal that the five-day shutdown during the election period and long-term ban on the social media platform X (previously called Twitter) resulted in direct economic losses exceeding 238 million dollars, affecting internet banking transactions, e-commerce, microenterprises dependent on online markets, and logistics. In addition to the economic expenses, the shutdown weakened transparency of elections, citizen participation, and media and civil society supervision, which emphasized the infringement of the main human rights: the freedom of expression, access to information, and social connectivity. The research also demonstrates that internet restriction driven by political agendas can undermine the confidence of the citizens, create social instabilities, and destroy democratic states. The study concludes that internet shutdowns undermine digital transformation efforts and socio-economic development in emerging economies. It recommends policy interventions promoting legislative protection, digital rights, and resilient infrastructure to mitigate future disruptions.