When the internet went dark in Addis Ababa during the tense election week of 2024, journalist Miriam Bekele was in the middle of verifying reports of voter intimidation. Her WhatsApp groups went silent. Emails wouldn’t load. Her digital recorder, linked to a cloud backup, stopped syncing. By the next morning, she couldn’t reach her editor—or her family. The story she was chasing, like the voices of millions of Ethiopians, was suddenly swallowed by silence.

Across Africa, stories like Miriam’s have become disturbingly common. From Sudan to Senegal, governments have used internet shutdowns, censorship, and surveillance as tools to control narratives, silence dissent, and suppress journalism. In 2024 alone, more than 111 million Africans were affected by these shutdowns, resulting in over $1.56 billion in economic losses and an immeasurable cost to democracy.

That’s why SNAKR (Safeguarding Networks Against Kill-switch Regimes) was born.—What is SNAKR?SNAKR is a Pan-African initiative of Penexus Consulting committed to defending digital freedoms and protecting citizens—especially journalists—from state-imposed network restrictions and digital repression.The name itself, Safeguarding Networks Against Kill-switch Regimes, captures its core mission: to stop governments from using connectivity as a weapon. When a government flips the “kill switch,” shutting down the internet or restricting platforms, SNAKR flips the switch back on—through data, advocacy, and global accountability.

Defending the Digital FrontlineFor journalists, the internet isn’t just a tool—it’s a lifeline. It connects them to sources, audiences, and the truth. SNAKR works to safeguard that lifeline by:Monitoring and documenting shutdowns across the continent in real-time.Publishing verified reports that expose state-sanctioned censorship.Engaging international partners to pressure for transparency and accountability.By shining a light on these violations, SNAKR ensures that governments cannot silence voices in the dark.

Training for Digital Resilience

Beyond advocacy, SNAKR equips journalists with the skills and resources they need to survive in repressive digital environments. Through its Mentor Program, journalists learn how to:Protect sources through encryption and anonymity tools.Store and transmit sensitive data securely.Respond effectively during internet disruptions.These workshops help journalists become digitally resilient, ensuring that even in the face of a shutdown, truth can still find a signal.

Building a Network of Protection

SNAKR also serves as a collaborative hub, connecting journalists, digital rights activists, and policy advocates across Africa. This network provides rapid response support during shutdowns, shares security alerts, and strengthens collective advocacy for press freedom.

By linking isolated efforts into a continental movement, SNAKR transforms scattered acts of courage into a unified stand for open information and free expression.

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Why It Matters

Authoritarian regimes have learned that controlling the internet means controlling the story. But as long as journalists can connect, they can resist. SNAKR’s mission is to make sure that connection never breaks—because every time a story is silenced, democracy loses a heartbeat.

Africa’s journalists deserve a digital space where truth travels freely. SNAKR exists to defend that space.