Get Guardian on GoogleNigeria’s Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) marked its 20th anniversary with a bold declaration: by 2046, the country aimed to achieve 90 per cent local Internet traffic, positioning itself as Africa’s digital hub.
At the gala event, themed: ‘The Digital Bridge: The Next Connection’, IXPN Chief Executive Officer, Muhammed Rudman, reflected on the journey from humble beginnings in 2006 to today’s thriving ecosystem.
“The next connection is ours to build. Together, we can connect Nigeria to its next digital future,” he said, underscoring the institution’s vision for the next two decades.
When IXPN began operations in 2006, only one per cent of Nigeria’s traffic was local, with 99 per cent routed internationally. This reliance on foreign bandwidth meant higher costs, slower speeds, and limited digital independence.
Two decades later, IXPN has achieved a remarkable turnaround. Today, up to 70 per cent of traffic is now local, saving Nigeria an estimated $40 million yearly in international transit costs, according to a 2020 ISOC study.
As of today, the exchange now boasts over 130 connected networks, over 200 connected ports, 13 points of presence nationwide, and 400G ports available
This growth was made possible by early support from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), alongside collaboration with Internet Service Providers, telcos, universities, and engineers.
Looking ahead, IXPN’s vision is clear: by 2046, Nigeria will not only connect all 36 states and the FCT with affordable domestic fibre but also serve as Africa’s content hub.
Rudman listed the key pillars of this ambition, including national reach, which will ensure interconnection across Nigeria.
There will also be content localisation. This includes hosting more cloud, AI, and digital services within Nigeria and West Africa. The target will also see IPv6 adoption, ensuring a future-ready Internet infrastructure.
According to the IXPN boss, there will also be university partnerships. He said that over 100 universities would have been connected by 2030 to anchor research, local hosting, and demand for fibre.
“Our ambition is to grow local hosting, IPv6, and regional participation until Nigeria serves Africa from Nigeria,” Rudman emphasised.
Rudman said the implications of achieving 90 per cent local traffic are profound. According to him, “Economic Independence: Nigeria would save billions in international transit costs over the next two decades, freeing resources for infrastructure and innovation.
“Digital Sovereignty: By keeping traffic within its borders, Nigeria gains greater control over its internet ecosystem, reducing vulnerability to external disruptions.
“Faster, Cheaper Internet: Local routing means lower latency and more affordable broadband for businesses, schools, and homes.
“Regional Leadership: Nigeria could become the primary hub for Africa’s digital economy, hosting content, cloud services, and AI platforms for the continent.
“Innovation Ecosystem: Universities and startups would benefit from stronger local hosting, encouraging research, entrepreneurship, and digital skills development.”
He stressed that “If Nigeria achieves 90 per cent local traffic, it won’t just be a technical milestone; it will redefine Africa’s digital map.”
To meet rising demand, IXPN has outlined a phased technology plan. These are that from 2027 to 2029, there will be expansion of 400G ports with diverse fibre paths.
From 2030 to 2032, there should be introduction of 800G optics, ensuring efficiency and interoperability. From 2033 to 2036, Nigeria should see the evaluation of 1.6T capacity through operational trials.
This roadmap, according to Rudman, ensures Nigeria’s Internet backbone remains affordable, scalable, and resilient, aligning with global standards while meeting local demand.
IXPN also plans to expand its service offerings. There would be private and cloud connections with clear support terms, remote peering and regional access to partner exchanges, automation and security services including route alerts and attack filtering, and neutral interconnection for AI and compute services, ensuring Nigeria remains central to Africa’s digital economy.
Despite the optimism, challenges remain. Nigeria is still bedevilled with infrastructure gaps. Here, extending fibre to all states requires massive investment and coordination.
Affordability is another issue. Here, ensuring low-cost access for ISPs and universities is critical to widespread adoption. There is also regional competition, as other African countries are vying to become digital hubs.
Nigeria is still not immune to cyberattacks. As local traffic grows, Nigeria must strengthen its defences against cyber threats.
Policy alignment is also critical. Sustained government support and regulatory clarity will be essential.
Industry experts warned that without consistent investment and strong regulatory frameworks, Nigeria’s ambition could stall. “The infrastructure challenge is real, but the opportunity is even greater,” said former NITEL staff, Kehinde Aluko, adding, “If Nigeria gets this right, it will lead the continent in digital transformation.”
If successful, Nigeria’s 90 per cent local traffic ambition will deliver transformative benefits, including economic savings. Billions saved in international transit costs.
There should be massive job creation as a result of growth in data centres, cloud services, and digital startups. It will also ensure digital sovereignty by providing greater control over Nigeria’s Internet ecosystem. The target will also position Nigeria as the gateway for Africa’s digital economy.
By connecting universities, fostering research, and encouraging local hosting, IXPN hoped to anchor Nigeria’s digital future in knowledge institutions. The plan to connect 100 universities by 2030 is seen as a critical step in building demand for fibre and strengthening the ecosystem.
While IXPN has enjoyed support from institutions like NCC, NITDA, alongside sustained collaboration with ISPs, telcos, universities, and engineers, Rudman said, “The support that made the beginning possible is the same spirit we need for the next 20 years. Trust, neutrality, and shared commitment brought us here. Collaboration will take us forward.”
Indeed, Nigeria’s target of 90 per cent local traffic by 2046 is more than a technical milestone; it is a statement of intent. It signals a future in which Nigeria is not just consuming digital services but also hosting, innovating, and exporting them across Africa.
