Tanzania partially restores internet after 5-day shutdown

Heavy police presence as Tanzania residents protested over elections / FILE

Internet connectivity in Tanzania is gradually returning after a five-day shutdown, but access to several social media and messaging platforms remains restricted, according to global internet observatory NetBlocks.

In a statement on Monday, NetBlocks reported widespread restrictions to multiple social media and messaging platforms as the country comes back online.

The organisation said the continued disruption was affecting communication and limiting the free flow of information.

“Live metrics show widespread restrictions to multiple social media and messaging platforms as Tanzania comes back online after a five-day internet shutdown; the incident continues to limit election transparency and the free flow of information,” NetBlocks said in a statement on X.

The initial disruption affected major services nationwide, with users reporting difficulties accessing platforms commonly used for communication, news updates, and public commentary.

The partial restoration has allowed some connectivity to return, but access to key platforms remains significantly impaired.

Latest findings indicate that full access to online services has not yet been restored, saying it will continue monitoring connectivity levels and platform accessibility as the situation develops.

The connectivity measurements by NetBlock showed that multiple online services are either not loading or are functioning only partially across several internet service providers.

The affected platforms include Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, and Telegram. The disruptions impact both website access and mobile app usage.

Key functions such as video streaming, image loading, login processes, and message delivery are showing failure rates in most test results.

Data from service providers indicated that the platforms are listed as ‘Down’ across a majority of core service features.

For Facebook, both the content delivery network and website loading are significantly limited, with reachability recorded at between 0 per cent and 38 per cent depending on the provider.

Instagram’s login and image services are also showing minimal accessibility.

WhatsApp is affected at both the web interface and mobile application levels, with core messaging functions failing in several network tests.

X shows near-total disruption, including failures in image uploads, video playback, website access, and link services.

TikTok is also seen registering low functionality across mobile and web.

YouTube access is restricted where video and static content delivery systems are impacted, resulting in failure to load or play content.

Telegram, which is commonly used for messaging, also appears to be blocked at both website level and mobile interface across multiple providers.

The data indicates that while internet connectivity is present, platform functionality remains limited.

The restrictions are consistent across the country’s major networks, suggesting broad application rather than isolated technical issues.

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in on Monday for a second term.

The inauguration ceremony was held at a military parade ground in the capital, Dodoma, in an event closed to the public but broadcast live by the state-run TBC.

Suluhu was declared the winner on Saturday with 98 per cent of the vote.