Tanzania entered its second consecutive day of widespread internet disruption on Thursday, leaving millions struggling to communicate and conduct business during a pivotal election period.
According to data from global internet observatory NetBlocks, connectivity across the country dropped sharply on Wednesday, coinciding with the day of voting.
“Confirmed: Network data show a nation-scale disruption to internet connectivity in Tanzania on Election Day,” the organization reported on social media.
The blackout has affected nearly all major service providers, crippling mobile and broadband networks.
Businesses that rely heavily on digital transactions and online operations have reported significant losses, while journalists and election observers have struggled to share updates.
Civil society groups and opposition figures have accused authorities of attempting to control information flow as votes are counted.
The government has not publicly addressed the disruptions, but similar blackouts in previous elections have raised concerns about the suppression of dissent and transparency during politically sensitive periods.
Digital rights advocates have condemned the outage as a violation of fundamental freedoms. “Internet access is not a privilege. It is a lifeline, especially during elections,” said a regional spokesperson for the Africa Digital Rights Forum.
This is not the first time Tanzania has faced such restrictions. During the 2020 general election, the government was widely criticized for blocking major social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and WhatsApp, citing national security concerns.
As the blackout stretches into a second day, many Tanzanians are resorting to virtual private networks and satellite-based communication tools to stay connected.
