Featured | Jan 11,2020
A curtain has unceremoniously descended over the online landscape in an increasingly digitised Ethiopia. Four relentless months have passed since the federal government imposed a policy to curtail access to social media sites like Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Telegram. This unpopular move has sent shockwaves through the country, reshaping its digital topography and casting a long shadow over its flourishing e-commerce sector and nascent digital economy.
The policy, shrouded in mystery, began to bear unintended consequences. Whilst there is an admission of restrictions, there is a notable silence over who should assume responsibility. The authorities at Ethiopia's Communications Authority deny culpability; those at the Ministry of Innovation & Technology sidestep blame; and the likely culprits, officials in charge of the Information Network Security Agency (INSA), remain tight-lipped. Amidst the finger-pointing, a nightmare of dwindling site traffic and vanishing clients has taken hold for several businesses.
However, a rich narrative of adaptation and survival unfolds beneath the disruption. The use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) has triggered new dynamics in the world of digital marketing, sparking innovative approaches to reach intended audiences. Amid the ashes of Ethiopia's freely accessible internet, the battle for the country's digital future is being waged.
A shadow economy has sprung up in the wake of the restrictions, with VPNs taking centre stage. By rerouting server locations to proxies in other countries, these VPNs offer a vital lifeline to blocked websites. However, this digital sleight of hand is far from a panacea, with certain companies being caught in the crossfire. Some, like Benetsa Marketing & Communications Agency, have weathered the storm; others, such as Guzo Technologies and Store251, face a far less certain future.
You can read the full story here
PUBLISHED ON
Jun 03,2023 [ VOL
24 , NO
1205]
Radar | Aug 01,2020
News Analysis | May 25,2024
Aug 18 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Although predictable Yonas Zerihun's job in the ride-hailing service is not immune to...
Jul 13 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Investors who rely on tractors, trucks, and field vehicles for commuting, transportin...
Jul 13 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
The cracks in Ethiopia's higher education system were laid bare during a synthesis re...
Jul 13 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Construction authorities have unveiled a price adjustment implementation manual for s...
Nov 9 , 2024
Ethiopia's foreign exchange debacle resembles a tangled web of contradictions and con...
Nov 2 , 2024
Addis Abeba, fondly dubbed a 'New Flower,' is wilting under the weight of unchecked u...
Oct 26 , 2024
When flames devoured parts of Mercato, residents watched helplessly as decades of toi...
Oct 20 , 2024
Central Bank authorities have unveiled no less than six new guidelines to fine-tune t...
Loading your updates...