[Afpif] [AFPIF 2025] Day 1 Highlights and Analysis

Wed Aug 20 13:48:32 UTC 2025

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** AfPIF 2025
DAY 1 HIGHLIGHTS
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** Tuesday, 19 August 2025
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Day one of AfPIF 2025 opened in Lagos with both energy about the significant progress Africa’s Internet ecosystem has made and urgency about the work still ahead. In his Keynote, Kyle Spencer, the Executive Director of the African IXP Association captured the challenges succinctly. “Every Megabit of data that we keep locally in Africa, grows our economies. What we are all working towards here is Africa not just being a consumer of the Internet , but a producer and an exporter.”

>From the keynote on Africa’s submarine, cloud, and terrestrial network trends to discussions on sub-sea resilience, diverse landing points, interconnection, and the role of data centers, participants underscored how infrastructure and commercial models are reshaping the continent’s Internet landscape. A recurring theme was digital sovereignty: despite large swathes of the continent still lacking reliable connectivity, the rapid growth of submarine capacity, peering ecosystems, and colocation facilities is creating a path for Africa to control more of its own traffic and data value chains.

Alongside these infrastructure debates, speakers also highlighted grassroots innovations. Projects using solar-powered routers to reach underserved communities and initiatives connecting schools across Sub-Saharan Africa showed that progress is taking root at the edges, complementing large-scale investments and reinforcing Africa’s drive toward greater self-reliance and inclusion.

At the same time, deep digital divides persist, driven not only by gaps in connectivity but also by basic infrastructure such as electricity. In many parts of Africa, communities remain off-grid, limiting Internet access, particularly where solar alternatives are not yet available. Yet AfPIF discussions carried a strong note of optimism: the emergence of new Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), the expansion of affordable interconnection models, and the rise of digital public infrastructure are all reshaping how access is delivered across the region.

What stood out to you in yesterday's discussions?

** AFIX TEAM WELCOMED
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The Africa Internet Exchange Point Association’s team was officially introduced and welcomed during the opening ceremony of AfPIF 2025 in Lagos, Nigeria. With the exception of the Executive Director, Kyle Spencer, this was the inaugural AfPIF for the rest of the team members who joined during the course of the year to support work at the secretariat in various capacities. These are; Maureen Agena (Communications Manager); Timothy Mugenyi (Fundraising Manager); Henok Sisay (Technical Specialist) and Ashley Nkayekorera (Logistics Manager). Do not hesitate to say hello to them during the course of the Forum.

** OPENING CEREMONY HIGHLIGHTS
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The opening ceremony began with remarks from Kyle Spencer, Chair and Executive Director of the African Internet Exchange Point Association (AFIX), who welcomed participants AfPIF and expressed confidence in the wealth of expertise gathered and the readiness for open, meaningful dialogue on Africa’s connectivity future.

This was followed by a message from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the country’s independent national telecommunications regulator, underscoring its commitment to advancing both national and cross-border interconnection.

Finally, the local hosts — Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), Rack Centre, and AF-CIX — together with the Nigeria Internet Society Country Chapter, extended their welcome to Lagos and reaffirmed their dedication to building a stronger, more interconnected digital ecosystem.

** SUBMARINE CABLE SESSION
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The Sea Cable Session featured three presenters who made illustrative presentations about Building Sub-sea Resilience & Alternate Source Points (Isreal Ogboi), optimising Africa’s Internet Connectivity – (Olatunji Tijani) and Measuring the Impact of Infrastructure Changes in Africa (Theophilus Benson). These were thought provoking presentations that sparked conversations around finding ways to bridge the connectivity gaps in Africa.

** WEST AFRICAN IXP PANEL
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A brief presentation on the Economics of Peering presented by Robbie Mitchell of the Internet Society, set the stage for a dynamic panel on the opportunities and challenges of West African Internet Exchange Point. Moderated by Femi Dakobiri (Microsoft)the discussion featured Muhammed Rudman (IXPN) and Azubuike Egereugwu (AF-CIX) the local hosts, Nurani Nimpuno (LINX) and Nico Tshintu (ISPA-DRC) highlighting the commercial and technical realities of interconnection growth in the region.

** CONNECTIVITY FOR DEVELOPMENT
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The day concluded with two presentations on connectivity for development. Arthur Tumwesigye (RENUMESH) showcased efforts to leverage solar routers to provide connectivity in underserved communities, while Ben Roberts (Digital Economy Advisors) spoke on bridging the digital divide by connecting schools across Sub-Saharan Africa. These case studies, preceded by a troubleshooting session for participants led by Yolandi Cloete (DE-CIX), underscored the practical, on-the-ground innovations complementing broader infrastructure investments.

Throughout the day, participants also engaged in Peering Personals — rapid 30-second introductions where networks, IXPs, and data centers advertised their services and sought new partnerships. A brief voter registration drive was also held in preparation for the upcoming AfriNIC board elections.

** BEERS FOR PEERS SOCIAL
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The day wrapped up with Beers for Peers, a lively social at Cilantro in Lagos sponsored by Teraco and NAPAfrica. This was a great opportunity for participants and a chance to relax, exchange ideas, and strengthen connections in a relaxed environment with music provided by DJ MT (Mark Tinka).

** WHAT TO EXPECT TODAY
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1. Peering Bilateral Meetings
2. Regulatory Panel: Frameworks for Digital Infrastructure Development in Africa
3. Women Tech Connect Panel: Generations: Is There Still a Problem Being a Woman in Tech?
4. Data Center Panel: Africa’s Data Centre Landscape: Growth, Challenges, and Viability
5. Gala Dinner: hosted by IXPN, Rack Centre, AF-CIX at Bay Lounge (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Lagos+Continental+Hotel,+52a+Kofo+Abayomi+St,+Victoria+Island,+Lagos+101241,+Lagos/Block+12A,+10+Admiralty+Rd,+Lekki+Phase+1,+Lagos+105102,+Lagos/@6.4602726,3.4044752,12.93z/data=!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x103bf52c200dc14f:0xbc9bcd9ac12d2630!2m2!1d3.4227825!2d6.4348484!1m5!1m1!1s0x103bf45b45aa7059:0xb5f1a726f81b4fba!2m2!1d3.4696754!2d6.453949?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgxNy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) in Lagos Nigeria. This is a special treat for all members.

View the complete agenda by clicking here (https://www.afpif.org/afpif2025/agenda/)
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https://x.com/AfricanIXPs
https://linkedin.com/

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