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
The talks reportedly aim to boost digital resilience after West Africa’s recent connectivity disruptions. The project would focus on route diversity,...
Egypt’s NTRA and CPA launched a nationwide training program on December 25 to enhance telecom consumer protection. With the telecom market projected to...
Anambra rolls out SmartGov to centralize access to public services Platform offers more than 30 services, including taxes and administrative...
AI-based system is now operational across Mauritania’s road network Technology targets vehicle overloading and seat belt violations Project is led by...
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

Nomba brings Apple Pay to 300k Nigerian shops. Following Paystack, this "second row" move enables ...

Beyond Online Checkouts: Apple Pay Finds a Second Row into Nigeria via Nomba
03

The BCID-AES launches with 500B CFA to fund Sahel infrastructure, asserting sovereignty from the B...

AES Launches Confederal Investment Bank: A Strategic Pivot Toward Sahelian Financial Sovereignty
04

Kenya’s CMA licensed Safaricom and Airtel Money as Intermediary Service Platform Providers (ISPPs)...

Safaricom and Airtel Money Licensed to Facilitate Capital Markets Access in Kenya
05

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”
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.