African Forum Boosts Local Internet Connectivity in Africa

The African Peering and Interconnection Forum was established in 2010 to address the challenges of Internet connectivity in Africa, where local traffic previously had to travel internationally before reaching its destination. This initiative has led to the creation of substantial infrastructure that keeps local Internet traffic within Africa.

As a result, Internet penetration has increased from less than 10 percent in 2010 to over 38 percent today, with more than 70 Internet exchange points established across the continent. The Forum met in Lagos last year to promote national and cross-border interconnection, and it will reconvene in Kigali next week.

This meeting is crucial for building a united African technical community, ensuring affordable and reliable Internet access, and providing a safe online experience. The International Telecommunication Union reports that mobile Internet is 14 times more expensive in Africa than in Europe, highlighting the need for continued efforts to reduce costs.