(Ecofin Agency) - Internet and social media shutdowns last year cost the global economy a total of $8.05 billion, and sub-Saharan Africa alone suffered a loss of $2.16 billion. According to Top10VPN.com, one of the leading VPN review websites, the region recorded 7,800 hours of shutdowns with Chad being the most unfortunate country in terms of hours (4,728 hours) and Sudan the most economically-impacted nation ($1,866.3 million).

Top10vpn.com found that most of the internet shutdowns happened to control protests or civil unrest, especially to restrict the flow of information during election periods. “In economic terms, disruptions not only affect the formal economy but also the informal, especially in less developed nations. There can also be lasting damage with the loss of investor confidence and faltering development, all of which makes our estimates conservative,” Top10vpn said.