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Ethiopia Ranks Lowest for Internet Freedom in Recent Report
A recent Freedom House report has ranked Ethiopia as the lowest for internet freedom among 17 African nations. The country received a score of 27 out of 100 and was given a “Not Free” rating in the organization’s “Freedom on the Net 2024” report. This ranking highlights the significant challenges faced by internet users in Ethiopia, including government-imposed disruptions in connectivity and restrictions on online journalists.
These measures, according to authorities, are often justified by the country’s ongoing armed conflict and unstable security situation. Government interventions in countries like Ethiopia and Sudan, where internet access is frequently interrupted citing national security concerns, have led to what Freedom House describes as “severe restrictions” on digital rights, contributing to Ethiopia’s low score. Sudan and Egypt, both scoring 28 points, ranked just above Ethiopia, reflecting similar challenges.
In contrast, Kenya scored 62, ranking third, while Uganda scored 53. The study also found a mix of trends across Africa, with South Africa scoring the highest at 74 points and a “Free” rating. Zambia saw the most improvement, gaining 3 points to reach 62, while Zimbabwe experienced the largest decline, dropping 3 points to a score of 48.
The report noted that 16 out of the 17 countries analyzed had cases of internet users being arrested or detained for their online speech, and nine countries reported physical attacks on individuals due to their online activities. This highlights the growing concern surrounding internet freedoms in many African nations.
Previous research from the Center for Rights and Democracy (CARD) showed that Ethiopia experienced significant economic losses from internet shutdowns. In 2023 alone, the country lost approximately $1.59 billion due to over 14,900 hours of internet outages, impacting 29 million users. A separate report by Top10VPN also ranked Ethiopia second globally for economic losses due to internet restrictions in 2023, estimating the total at around $1.9 billion.
These internet shutdowns, frequently linked to conflict and instability, have become increasingly common in regions like Tigray and Amhara. The situation in Ethiopia underscores the importance of internet freedom and the need for governments to balance security concerns with the rights of their citizens to access information and express themselves online.
For more information on the report, you can visit the official website of Freedom House.
