Internet Exchange Points (IXPs)
Developing IXPs in Africa
Ongoing Initiative
The Goals
of The Initiative
1/3
Identify five IXPs with the potential to make a high impact on their local and sub-regional market.
2/3
Work closely with each IXP to set a growth and development action plan tailored to their needs and interests.
3/3
Identify and recruit a local manager for each IXP, who will be responsible for implementing the action plan and achieving measurable project targets, while receiving training and support from the Internet Society (ISOC).
What Will This Initiative Achieve?
This initiative will strengthen peering - the exchange of data directly between local Internet service providers rather than via expensive international links - in Africa. This will be achieved by developing IXPs and interconnection across the region to make the Internet cheaper, faster, and more resilient for African users.
IXPs enable and encourage local traffic and are essential for any country aspiring to engage fully in the global Internet economy. Research shows that IXPs improve the end-user experience, lower the cost of access, and stimulate the development of local Internet ecosystems and cross-border interconnection. By improving local Internet services and reducing their costs, well-managed IXPs open new worlds of possibility with modest investment.
To date, ISOC awarded grants to three IXPs in Benin, Malawi and Rwanda, allowing them to enhance their technical infrastructure and local capabilities.
ISOC is currently receiving applications to support additional IXPs. More information on applications to the Sustainable Peering Infrastructure Funding Program can be found here.
