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
Nigeria to use NigComSat to connect 20 million unserved citizens Satellite, fiber rollout aims to bridge urban-rural digital divide High costs,...
The government says price reductions must be real, visible and applied to daily-use plans. Authorities denounce a system in which poorer households pay...
Chad and U.S. officials discuss expanding American involvement in digital projects. Washington is exploring opportunities tied to Chad’s 2030...
Government to invest CFA33 billion in rural connectivity between 2026 and 2027. Program will lean on new technologies, including DirectToDevice...
Most Read
01

(MCB) - The Mauritius Commercial Bank Limited (“MCB”) has successfully granted a strategic financing...

MCB deploys strategic financing to Invictus Investment to scale up its agro-food operations in Africa
02

Anthropic, Rwanda’s government, and ALX launched Chidi, an AI mentor built on Claude. It wi...

Anthropic Partners with Rwanda, ALX to Deploy Claude-Powered AI Learning Companion Across Africa
03

S&P upgrades Zambia to CCC+ as debt talks advance and copper output rebounds. About 94% of $...

S&P Raises Zambia’s Foreign-Currency Rating to CCC+
04

Government, ESCWA, and experts meet to shape national framework Plan aims to fight corruption, c...

Mauritania Advances Blockchain Policy to Modernize Digital Public Services
05

ECOWAS launched the second phase of PAMCIT to expand training in translation and conference inte...

Africa Turns to Multilingualism to Fill High-Skill Jobs
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.