Expanding internet access in Africa

The annual African Peering and Interconnection Forum currently taking place in Kigali has brought together participants from across the continent to discuss ways to expand and develop internet access in Africa. Michuki Mwangi, the Senior Director for Internet Technology and Development at The Internet Society, highlighted the progress made in reducing internet costs over the last decade. Mwangi noted that investments in submarine cable infrastructure, both from private investors and public-private partnerships, have led to a significant drop in prices. In some countries, the cost per megabit has decreased to less than $50 and even below $10. Despite these advancements, less than one in five households in Africa currently have internet access. Mwangi attributed this gap to challenges in distributing the landed capacity from coastal areas to inland regions, particularly affecting landlocked countries like Rwanda. The lack of investment in terrestrial infrastructure and regulatory barriers have hindered the growth of internet access in these regions. To address these issues, Mwangi emphasized the need for collaborative efforts involving governments, private sectors, investors, and stakeholders. He highlighted that the internet economy has the potential to create around $180 billion in GDP for Africa, making it imperative for all parties to work together to drive investment and expand internet access. Mwangi also discussed the importance of internet exchange points (IXPs) in facilitating local traffic exchange. While there are 49 IXPs in 35 African countries, their utilization remains low due to the lack of stakeholder collaboration. Mwangi stressed the need for a vibrant community behind IXPs to maximize their impact and increase local traffic exchange. He cited initiatives in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa that successfully achieved the goal of making 80% of internet traffic locally accessible, highlighting the importance of knowledge sharing and community building in enhancing IXPs across the continent.