• Regulator orders ISPs to block major platforms nationwide

• Move risks economic disruption amid 850,000 active users

Gabon’s media regulator on Tuesday ordered the immediate suspension of social media platforms nationwide, citing the spread of content it described as defamatory, hateful or threatening to national security.

The High Authority for Communication said in a statement from its headquarters in Libreville that the measure would remain in force until further notice. It said the suspension was necessary to halt the circulation of content that violates the country’s 2016 Communications Code.

The regulator pointed to a rise in coordinated cyberbullying and the unauthorised sharing of personal data, practices it said threatened public order and national security. It also said existing content moderation mechanisms were inadequate. The decision instructs telecom operators and internet service providers to block access to platforms including Facebook, X, TikTok and Instagram.

The move comes as social media plays a central role in Gabon’s information and economic landscape. An analysis by Kepios for DataReportal shows the country had about 850,000 active social media users in October 2025, representing nearly 32.6% of the population.

These platforms serve as key channels for public communication, digital marketing and e-commerce, particularly for small businesses and informal economic activity. Their suspension could disrupt the flow of information, slow online transactions and affect services that depend on digital visibility.

Internet and digital platform restrictions carry measurable economic costs across Africa. Estimates published in January 2026 by Top10VPN show internet shutdowns caused losses of about $1.11 billion on the continent in 2025, largely due to business disruption, lower productivity and slowdowns in digital services. The disruptions affected roughly 116.1 million users.

Samira Njoya