Brian Munyao Longwe, CEO and co-founder of Converged Technology Networks in Malawi, highlights the critical need for Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) in Africa.
Despite some understanding of their importance, Longwe emphasizes the region’s lag in recognizing and establishing these facilities, attributing it to a lack of skills and knowledge in dynamic routing, particularly the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP).
Importance of Internet Exchange Points
Longwe underscores the significance of IXPs for effective Internet traffic exchange between networks, essential for a healthy and robust Internet infrastructure.
At IXPs, networks can exchange traffic at no cost, allowing them to allocate resources to enhance network capacity and speed.
Challenges in Africa:
- Longwe notes that African experts may be aware of the need for IXPs but face challenges such as a lack of skills and knowledge in dynamic routing and BGP.
- He suggests that this lack of expertise contributes to the region’s slow progress in establishing IXPs, hindering the development of robust Internet infrastructure.
Initiatives to Address the Gap
Longwe announces Converged Technology Networks’ initiative to set up a peering lab in Malawi’s capital city, where networks converge.
The peering lab aims to provide local network engineers with opportunities to develop their BGP knowledge and skills by simulating various peering and traffic exchange scenarios.
Potential Impact
Longwe expresses hope that initiatives like the peering lab will lead to a deeper understanding of internetwork traffic exchange and potentially spark an increase in the establishment of IXPs across Africa.
Future Outlook
Establishing more IXPs in Africa could contribute significantly to the region’s digital transformation and economic development by improving Internet connectivity and fostering innovation and collaboration.
Brian Munyao Longwe’s advocacy for the establishment of Internet Exchange Points in Africa sheds light on the critical role these facilities play in fostering a robust Internet infrastructure.
By addressing challenges such as skills gaps and knowledge deficits through initiatives like peering labs, Longwe aims to accelerate progress in this area and pave the way for a more connected and digitally empowered Africa.
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