The London Internet Exchange (LINX) recently announced its plans to expand its interconnection services in Kenya with the launch of LINX Mombasa.
This follows the successful establishment of LINX Nairobi and continued LINX’s partnership with iColo, a Kenyan data center operator under Digital Realty.
What is an Internet Exchange Point?
An Internet Exchange Point (IXP) is a physical infrastructure where different internet service providers (ISPs), content delivery networks (CDNs), and other network operators meet to exchange traffic.
By interconnecting directly at an IXP, networks can improve the efficiency of data transfer, reduce latency, and lower costs.
Instead of routing data through long and expensive international paths, traffic can be exchanged locally, enhancing the overall user experience.
Boosting Regional Connectivity
Nurani Nimpuno, LINX’s Head of Global Engagement, emphasized the significance of this development: “The launch of the Mombasa IXP is a significant complement to the existing LINX IXP in Nairobi, a step that will bolster interconnection across East Africa. Improved efficient local traffic exchange enhances network resilience, reduces latency, and supports a seamless digital experience.”
Historically, East Africa’s internet connectivity has heavily relied on international routes, with data traveling long distances to Europe and back.
Also Read: Cloudflare stops largest DDoS attack in history, peaking at 3.8Tbps
In 2012, only 30% of Kenya’s internet traffic was localized. By 2020, local traffic exchange had grown to 70%, driven by the Kenyan Internet Exchange Point (KIXP).
This shift significantly reduced costs and latency while enhancing network efficiency. According to a report by the Internet Society, KIXP’s peak traffic increased from 1 Gbps in 2012 to 19 Gbps by 2020, saving $6 million annually.
Why Mombasa Matters
Mombasa is a strategic hub for East Africa’s digital connectivity. The city hosts major submarine cables such as 2Africa, SEACOM, TEAMS, and EASSy, which connect Africa to global internet networks.
These undersea cables provide high-capacity, low-latency connections that make Mombasa an essential digital gateway.
The LINX Mombasa Internet Exchange Point (IXP) will build on this existing infrastructure to improve local traffic peering.
By reducing dependency on international routes, the IXP will cut latency, lower costs, and enhance network performance for Kenya and neighboring countries, including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and South Sudan.
Supporting Content Delivery and Digital Growth
The presence of major international content providers and cloud services in Mombasa, including Google, Akamai, and Netflix, highlights the city’s growing importance.
By hosting high-demand content locally, LINX Mombasa will enable faster internet speeds and reduced bandwidth costs for East African users.
Scheduled to launch in Q1 2025, LINX Mombasa will operate from iColo’s MBA2 data center, interconnected with LINX Nairobi through a fabric setup.
The IXP will feature Nokia technology, offering peering capabilities with 100G port options from the outset.
