A nation enforces nationwide mobile internet shutdown, causing extensive losses to numerous technology companies.

Nationwide mobile internet and TikTok access have been blocked since August 2 in this country, greatly affecting tech companies.

Over the years, governments worldwide have criticized the role of social media in spreading misinformation and inciting violence. Last week, the Senegalese government imposed a temporary ban on TikTok across all networks, starting from August 2nd, followed by an order to block access to the entire Internet on mobile devices.

Senegal’s Minister of Communication, Mr. Moussa Bocar Thiam, stated that these measures aim to prevent the spread of misleading information by individuals that threatens instability in the nation.

On the other hand, this action has impacted the lives of Senegalese citizens. They lost access to mobile systems used for essential services payments and news updates.

Ibrahim Diop, a 27-year-old radio host, mentioned that the absence of the Internet prevented him from recharging his account through a local utility.

Meanwhile, a woman named Maimouna Sow recounted that she was at the market shopping for customers when she lost internet connectivity. The inability to use WhatsApp on her phone prevented her from communicating with clients. “I was standing in the middle of the market with no way to message or call them,” Sow shared.

Furthermore, she couldn’t use her e-wallet for grocery shopping or fuel purchases as before. According to Sow, people in her area are flocking to ATMs to withdraw cash.

In many African countries, smartphones serve as the sole means of internet access for many individuals. Social media apps, particularly TikTok (which is currently surpassing Twitter and Facebook in popularity), have become primary news sources.

The director of a telecommunications company in Senegal stated that the government ordered companies to halt internet and TikTok services from 8 AM the previous day until 2 AM the next day local time, with the removal timeline unclear. At the moment, some companies are requesting to be informed when the ban will be lifted.

Meanwhile, the owner of a fintech company in Dakar, Senegal’s capital, noted that the internet disconnect disrupted his business operations.

Some online payment software companies were also affected, but they found ways for customers to use their apps through alternative means.

As for TikTok and other social networks, they have not commented on the issue.

In reality, Senegal’s move to block internet access is not unprecedented. Previously, the Ethiopian government had restricted access to certain websites and the internet itself in various regions due to unrest.

According to the data-tracking assessment website Top10VPN, last year, government-enforced internet shutdowns led to an economic loss of $261 million across the Sub-Saharan African region, including Senegal, affecting 132.2 million internet users in the area.