DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA – Internet connectivity has been gradually restored across Tanzania as of Monday, 3 November 2025, following a near-total shutdown that began on the morning of the country's contentious general election on Wednesday, 29 October 2025. However, global internet observatory NetBlocks reported on Monday that access to major social media and messaging platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and Telegram, remains heavily restricted. The Tanzanian government has not issued a formal statement explaining the partial restoration or the continued platform blockages.

The initial blackout coincided with the start of voting and widespread protests against an election that saw major opposition candidates barred from participating. Live network data from NetBlocks showed a sharp, nationwide drop in connectivity, which digital rights groups and international observers described as a deliberate measure to control the flow of information. The shutdown crippled communication, hampered independent election monitoring, and fueled uncertainty as reports of violence and clashes between protestors and security forces emerged.

Tanzania's Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Kombo Thabit, defended the shutdown on 31 October 2025, stating it was necessary to prevent "havoc" and curb "vandalists" who were using the internet as their primary communication tool. This justification has been met with significant criticism from human rights organizations. Amnesty International's Deputy Director for East and Southern Africa, Vongai Chikwanda, stated on 3 November 2025, that the blackout made it difficult to verify information and document election-related human rights violations. The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights issued a statement on 1 November 2025, condemning the shutdown as a violation of Article 9 of the African Charter, which guarantees the right to receive and disseminate information.

Implications for Kenya and East Africa

The events in Tanzania have direct and significant implications for Kenya and the broader East African Community (EAC). The internet outage paralyzed digital customs systems, leading to a significant build-up of cargo trucks at key border points like Namanga, Taveta, and Lunga Lunga, disrupting cross-border trade. The crisis also forced the diversion of cargo from the Port of Dar es Salaam to Mombasa, placing additional strain on Kenyan port infrastructure.

In response to the unrest, Kenya's Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo confirmed on 30 October 2025, that security had been heightened along the border to prevent any spillover of violence. The situation presents a complex challenge for the EAC, which is headquartered in Arusha, Tanzania, and is founded on principles of good governance and stability.

The shutdown is part of a worrying trend in the region. A 2025 report by Top10VPN, an internet privacy research firm, noted that internet censorship cost Kenya and Tanzania a combined $76.4 million in lost economic output in the previous year. Digital rights advocates argue that these shutdowns not only violate fundamental rights but also inflict severe economic damage, disrupting everything from mobile money transfers to international business operations. Remittance platform Nala reported its services were offline for over 18 hours, preventing families from receiving crucial funds for essentials.

A Pattern of Control

This is not the first time Tanzania has restricted internet access during a politically sensitive period. A similar shutdown occurred during the 2020 general election. The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has also taken steps to tighten control over the digital space, including blocking access to X in May 2025 and disabling live streaming features on TikTok and Instagram in October 2025. The government has also warned citizens against using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass these restrictions, with potential penalties including fines or imprisonment.

As President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in for her second term on Monday, 3 November 2025, in a private military ceremony, the partial restoration of the internet but continued social media blockade suggests a strategy of maintaining tight control over public discourse. The long-term consequences of this digital suppression on Tanzania's economy, its international standing, and the stability of the East African region remain a critical concern for observers in Kenya and beyond. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.