The Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), Tobias Alando, has voiced concern over the ongoing internet shutdown in Tanzania, warning that the disruption has crippled trade, communication, and economic activity not only within Tanzania but across the East African region.
Speaking on a local TV, Alando said the internet blackout is already taking a toll on businesses that rely heavily on digital connectivity for operations, communication, and payments. He described the situation as a wake-up call on how deeply intertwined East African economies have become through technology and regional trade.
“Any shutdown of the internet really affects the telecom industry in any country, so definitely, they have also been largely affected in Tanzania because people cannot buy bundles or for calls,” he said.
Alando explained that the effects of the internet outage go far beyond the telecommunications sector. He said the blackout has triggered a chain reaction affecting manufacturers, transport companies, logistics providers, small traders, and online entrepreneurs who depend on digital systems for coordination and transactions.
“The impact has ripple impacts from the perspective of telecoms, manufacturers, logistic teams, SMEs and traders, among others; everyone is affected in this situation,” he noted.
According to Alando, the incident underscores how closely East African economies are linked under the East African Community (EAC). He observed that while trade treaties and economic agreements have strengthened cooperation, political and security stability remain the foundation of sustainable regional growth.
“No matter what treaty exists, either in terms of EAC protocols that we adhere to in terms of trade, there is also a political wing of the region that discusses any political scenarios, but no matter the case, what is important is the security, the security of the people in the region,” he said.
The KAM CEO emphasised that safeguarding people’s welfare should always come first, especially during political or social unrest. He said governments must balance the need for security with the need to maintain economic activity and ensure citizens’ access to essential communication tools.
“If that security is not guaranteed, then the first thing that has to happen is to ensure we don’t put people in a place where there will be more losses,” he said.
Alando also expressed concern that East Africa continues to experience recurring instability that disrupts trade and undermines investor confidence.
He cited ongoing crises in parts of the region as examples of how political tensions in one country can spill over and affect neighbouring economies.
“East Africa region has had a lot of issues, not only Tanzania but also countries like Sudan have had a lot of crises that are in that country, and that conflict impacts generally the whole region,” he said.
He noted that the modern business environment is heavily reliant on internet infrastructure, from customs systems at border points to digital payments, online banking, and e-commerce platforms.
Interrupting internet access, he warned, weakens the entire supply chain and slows down economic recovery efforts that many East African nations are still pursuing after recent global shocks.
Economic experts have also pointed out that Tanzania’s internet shutdown could impact regional trade corridors that depend on real-time communication, especially the transportation of goods from the port of Dar es Salaam to neighbouring countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Alando’s remarks come amid growing concern from business leaders, civil society organisations, and international observers about the economic and humanitarian consequences of the ongoing internet disruption.
Many have called on the Tanzanian government to restore connectivity and explore alternative measures that maintain security without paralysing economic activity.
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