With VPNs, Africa’s youth can also bridge the technology gap between themselves and the rest of the world, particularly North America, Europe, and parts of Asia.
By Michael Akuchie
Have you ever tried streaming a show or movie on Netflix or Prime Video but couldn’t find it? A simple Google search confirms that the content is available on the streaming app, but you still can’t see it. In cases like this, the movie or show may not be available in your region. Streaming apps usually have different content libraries for various locations.
Sometimes, content licensing laws may prevent the app from making that show or movie viewable in your region. This is a classic example of geo-restriction. Geo-restriction, or geo-blocking, according to CNET, “restricts access to online content based on a user’s location”.
There is a workaround, though. Using a Virtual Private Network, or VPN, can help bypass these restrictions and make it possible to view previously blocked content. Kaspersky defines a VPN as a tool used to “establish a protected network connection which encrypts the user’s internet traffic and masks their identity”.
This means that a Kenya-based internet user with a VPN can make their IP address appear as though it originates from a different region, such as Norway or Canada. Essentially, a VPN is an effective way to access content that is typically not viewable in one’s region, while also helping to safeguard internet users from being tracked.
Beyond accessing previously hidden content on streaming apps, VPNs are also useful for visiting websites that have been restricted by a country’s government. In 2021, Nigeria experienced an unprecedented spike in VPN usage due to the ban on the popular social media app, X (FKA Twitter).
Given Twitter’s wide range of benefits, including business promotion and maintaining long-distance relationships with family and friends, it is unsurprising that Nigerians found a way to stay connected despite the existing ban. According to findings by Mustard Insights, Nigeria’s VPN adoption rate rose to 6.9%, with roughly 14 million VPN app downloads.
Africa has the youngest population in the world, with around 40% of the continent’s inhabitants aged 15 or younger. This translates to a high number of youths who use the internet for entertainment, information, business, and much more. Although Africa’s internet penetration rate (43%) falls below the global average of 66%, this has not stopped the continent’s youths from embracing VPNs.
VPNs have proven to be handy tools for bypassing content or website restrictions. Aside from Nigeria’s 2021 Twitter ban, VPNs have also been widely adopted in countries such as Kenya and Senegal. Both countries experienced widespread public demonstrations in 2024, and following government-led internet restrictions, citizens had to find a workaround to stay updated on local and international happenings.
According to findings from ProtonVPN, there was a 6,400% increase in VPN signups in 2024, as Kenyans sought ways to bypass the government’s restrictions on internet access following a public rejection of the Finance Bill. In Senegal, a 350% spike in VPN registrations was also reported in 2024, following public outrage over then-President Macky Sall’s move to halt the February 2024 presidential election.
As noted in the introduction, VPNs help users access geo-restricted content. Beyond movies and films, VPNs are sometimes needed to unlock certain servers in online gaming, music streaming, and software such as design and programming tools. With VPNs, Africa’s youth can also bridge the technology gap between themselves and the rest of the world—particularly North America, Europe, and parts of Asia.
VPNs are also beneficial when it comes to online anonymity. In regions where citizens are constantly monitored both online and offline, more African youths are turning to VPNs as a way to use the internet freely, without the fear of being watched.
Although digital access has been acknowledged as a global human right, many countries are known to skirt the UN’s declaration by continuously surveilling their citizens. As young people in Africa become increasingly aware of certain countries’ oppressive digital access laws, the demand for VPNs has steadily grown.
While VPNs have been established as a helpful tool for bypassing internet restrictions and maintaining online anonymity, there remains the issue of data privacy. Many free VPN providers have been known to sell users’ data to a variety of clients, particularly advertisers.
Some free VPN providers may also contain malware within their service offerings, thereby exposing your devices to a range of cyberattacks. Others may embed secret trackers in their code, allowing them to monitor your internet activity.
Although VPNs have a solid track record of helping users shield their online activities from government scrutiny, they are not a 100% foolproof solution. Governments can still compel VPN providers to submit logs of users’ activity if required. In a scenario where an individual is deemed a national threat, the government can engage VPN services and telecom operators to track them.
Unfortunately, many internet users are unaware of this and continue to hold on to the false belief that VPNs are impenetrable.
There are also ethical concerns surrounding VPN usage. Laws exist for a reason, and if a show or website is geo-restricted, using a VPN to bypass it could amount to potential violations. Africa’s digital laws are not yet as clearly defined as those of North America and Europe, making it easier for VPN services to thrive in this part of the world. Gaining access to content that is typically unavailable may be exciting—but is it right?
As internet usage continues to grow across Africa, thanks to the availability of budget smartphones and high-speed internet via 5G connectivity, African youths must ensure they use the internet responsibly. Governments, telecom operators, and regulators should organise sensitisation programmes to educate users on the proper and ethical use of VPNs.
African youths should also be made aware that VPN providers, especially the free ones, may be selling their data or, worse, compromising their devices’ security by installing malware. In African countries where governments have been known to clamp down on internet access, it is time for leaders to explore ways of protecting online freedom. Policies that guide, rather than restrict, online activity should be discussed and implemented.
VPNs remain a viable alternative for staying connected during periods of unrest and subsequent internet shutdowns. While they are incredibly useful in such situations, users must strive to use these tools responsibly to ensure their digital safety at all times.
Michael Akuchie is a tech journalist with five years of experience covering cybersecurity, AI, automotive trends, and startups. He reads human-angle stories in his spare time. He’s on X (fka Twitter) as @Michael_Akuchie & michael_akuchie on Instagram.
Cover image credit: Airtel