Telecom

Guinea faces nationwide strike demanding internet restoration

Guinea faces nationwide strike demanding internet restoration
Monday, 26 February 2024 18:46

In Guinea, where about 7 million people are internet users, access to the internet and social media platforms has been restricted since November 23, 2023. Despite public outcry and pressure from the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, the government has yet to lift the ban.

The Guinea Trade Union Movement (MSG) announced on February 22, that it would initiate an "indefinite general strike" starting today February 26. They want to protest against the internet restrictions in the country, among other issues. The strike is set to unfold across the entire nation, affecting all sectors.

The Guinean government initially imposed the internet and social media access restrictions on November 23, 2023, citing "security concerns." Three months later, the limitations remain despite protests from citizens, ICT sector stakeholders, and human rights organizations. When 2024 started, the Guinean ICT Sector Enterprises Association (RESTIC) called for restoring internet access in the country. Furthermore, the Citizens' Parliament for Civic Engagement held a sit-in on February 20 to demand an end to the internet restrictions.

The internet ban has impacted the 6.98 million mobile internet users in Guinea, according to data from the Regulatory Authority for Post and Telecommunications (ARPT). The restriction has also slowed down activities in the ICT sector and other areas of the Guinean economy amid digital transformation efforts. According to the British company Top10VPN, the Guinean economy suffered a loss of $47.4 million in 2023 due to internet access restrictions.

The Guinean Trade Union Movement hopes that the strike will compel the Guinean authorities to meet all its demands, including lifting the internet access restrictions. The organization is determined not to cease its action without satisfaction of its requests. It reserves the right to file complaints with all relevant United Nations and international human rights and labor law institutions.

On the same topic
Nice Deer has partnered with Telecom Egypt to manage healthcare services for over 28,000 employees via its digital insurance platform. The announcement...
Ghana plans to introduce a fully online visa application system in early 2026 The reform aims to speed up processing and simplify entry...
Parliament approved a law updating rules for electronic communications The reform aligns regulation with digital growth and technological...
New ADD chief outlines roadmap aligned with Morocco Digital 2030 Public service digitalization and startup support at the core of the...
Most Read
01

Kenya shipped its first mango consignment to the UK on December 20 The move is part of a pilo...

Kenya targets UK market to boost mango exports
02

In Africa, the transformation of food systems has become an urgent issue in the face of rapid popula...

AGRA’s Lilial Githinji “Leadership capacity remains the missing ingredient in Africa’s food systems transformation”
03

Central bank launches project for real-time transfers across banks and mobile wallets System aims...

Guinea readies instant payment system to speed transactions and cut cash use
04

BOAD approves $35.7 million to upgrade Burkina Faso–Mali border road Project targets 130 km,...

Burkina Faso Secures BOAD’s $35.7 Million for Road to Mali
05

Fitch lowered Gabon’s sovereign rating to CCC- amid rising fiscal stress Payment arrears reac...

Fitch downgrades Gabon to CCC- as liquidity strains deepen
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

regie@agenceecofin.com 
Tél: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72


EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.