Cloudflare’s Q1 2026 Internet Disruptions Report reveals a sharp increase in internet shutdowns, network outages, and cybersecurity risks across the Middle East and Africa (MEA), highlighting the growing importance of digital infrastructure and internet connectivity in the region. The report points to a combination of government-imposed restrictions, geopolitical conflicts, and environmental disruptions impacting global and regional networks.
One of the key findings is the return of government-led internet shutdowns, particularly in countries such as Uganda, Iran, and the Republic of Congo. These disruptions demonstrate how internet access is increasingly used as a tool for political control and national security management. In Iran, one of the longest internet blackouts in recent years saw connectivity drop to near zero for almost two weeks, with access limited through filtered networks, whitelisting systems, and restricted SIM usage.
Election-related shutdowns continue to be a major concern for digital rights and online freedom, with the Republic of Congo experiencing a near-total outage during its presidential election. These recurring disruptions highlight the vulnerability of communication networks and digital economies during politically sensitive periods.
The report also underscores emerging risks to cloud computing infrastructure, as conflict zones increasingly impact digital systems. Drone strikes affecting data centers in the Middle East disrupted cloud services, data availability, and enterprise applications, exposing new threats to distributed cloud environments and global IT operations.
In addition to geopolitical risks, extreme weather events, submarine cable damage, and technical failures remain major causes of internet outages. These factors continue to disrupt connectivity in several regions, reinforcing the need for stronger network resilience, redundancy, and disaster recovery strategies.
As digital transformation, cloud adoption, and AI-driven technologies expand across MEA, the need for secure, reliable, and resilient internet infrastructure is becoming critical. Cloudflare’s findings highlight the urgency for governments, enterprises, and telecom providers to invest in cybersecurity, network stability, and infrastructure modernization.
With increasing reliance on cloud services, data centers, and global connectivity, addressing these risks will be essential to support economic growth, ensure business continuity, and protect digital ecosystems in an increasingly interconnected world.
