Why Internet Exchange Points Are Critical To Boosting Connectivity In Africa
Why Internet Exchange Points are critical to boosting connectivity in Africa
The Internet Society has released a new report that analyzes Africa's Internet ecosystem, including the state of interconnection and the critical role Internet Exchange Points (IXP) play in improving access and lowering costs.
The report, titled "Moving towards an interconnected Africa: the 80/20 Initiative," also emphasizes the critical need to expand Internet access across the continent, particularly in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, less than one in every five households in Africa has access to the Internet. Additionally, it asserts that reliable and affordable Internet access is a catalyst for economic growth.
According to a recent study, the Internet economy could add up to $180 billion to Africa's gross domestic product (GDP) by 2025.
Role of Internet Exchange Points
An IXP is a piece of technical infrastructure that connects and exchanges Internet traffic between multiple networks, including Internet service providers, mobile operators, enterprise networks, research and education networks, e-Government services, and content delivery networks (CDNs).
IXPs enable the exchange of Internet traffic on a local level rather than via costly international transit routes. This not only lowers the cost of Internet access, but also improves its quality by establishing more direct network connections.
Access to content can be up to ten times faster with an IXP due to traffic being routed locally rather than via international transit.
According to the Internet Society report, the number of African Internet exchange points has increased by 58% in the last eight years, from 19 in 2012 to 46 in 2020. In addition:
- More than half of Africa's countries have an IXP; six have more than one.
- South Africa has the most developed Internet ecosystem, followed by Kenya and Nigeria. These countries have the most interconnected networks and have succeeded in exchanging 70% to 80% of their traffic within their borders.
- IXPs save significant amounts of money by rerouting Internet traffic. According to the report, connecting to a local IXP can save a network up to $240,000 per year.
- Content delivery networks' presence has increased significantly, as has the amount of locally available content and demand for content hosting.
Internet Exchange Points growth in Africa
The new report builds on a 2020 analysis of IXP growth in Kenya and Nigeria and provides an overview of the continent's Internet interconnection evolution by examining a country from each of the continent's six sub-regions: Angola (Southern Africa), Burkina Faso (Western Africa), Democratic Republic of Congo (Central Africa), Egypt (Northern Africa), Mauritius (Indian Ocean), and Rwanda (Eastern Africa).
Dawit Bekele, the Internet Society's Africa Regional Vice President, stated, "Thanks to our continued collaboration with partners over the years, we now have many more sustainable IXPs that exchange a significant amount of Internet traffic in Africa." However, there is still work to be done to increase Internet traffic exchange on the continent.”
“A critical success factor for IXPs is that governments recognize the value of Internet infrastructure, which encourages the adoption of policies and regulations that support the growth of Internet ecosystems,” Bekele added.
Since 2008, the Internet Society has been collaborating with the African Internet community, which includes community organizations, technical experts, and policymakers, to improve local Internet infrastructure by assisting in the establishment of IXPs and fostering trust and cooperation among those who build the Internet.
The overall goal is for 80 percent of Internet traffic in Africa to be exchanged locally, with only 20% routed via the continent's borders.
