Abet Wushet!
Posted: 19 Jul 2020, 06:00
There is a report that I came across today which claimed that Ethiopia is losing 400 Million $ on a daily basis because of Internet shut-down in the country.
I can't say how much the internet sector is contributing to the national economy of the country but taking the data which is publicly available the country's GDP (national output) is around 91 Billion $. Even if Ethiopia was living off only its internet based economy, then the figure of 400 Million $ a day would be around 144 Billion $ in a year, which Ethiopia doesn't have, which is simply an out right lie.
Ethiopia is one of the least digitalized country in the world and even if the loss to those who are living from their internet based incomes shouldn't be under estimated still the publication of such out right lie is shameful, in my view.
But if I am asked about whether we should choose our freedom over our livelyhood, then the freedom comes first, as there is no livelyhood without freedom.
I can't say how much the internet sector is contributing to the national economy of the country but taking the data which is publicly available the country's GDP (national output) is around 91 Billion $. Even if Ethiopia was living off only its internet based economy, then the figure of 400 Million $ a day would be around 144 Billion $ in a year, which Ethiopia doesn't have, which is simply an out right lie.
Ethiopia is one of the least digitalized country in the world and even if the loss to those who are living from their internet based incomes shouldn't be under estimated still the publication of such out right lie is shameful, in my view.
But if I am asked about whether we should choose our freedom over our livelyhood, then the freedom comes first, as there is no livelyhood without freedom.