The London Internet Exchange (LINX) has unveiled the LINX Mombasa, a new Internet Exchange Point (IXP) that aims to significantly bolster East Africa’s digital infrastructure. This expansion is primarily a collaboration with iColo, a local data center operator, and is designed to enhance connectivity across the region by facilitating local traffic exchange. This development is expected to reduce both network costs and latency for users.

Mombasa is strategically positioned along East Africa’s coastline and acts as a crucial digital gateway, hosting key submarine internet cables such as TEAMS, SEACOM, 2Africa, and EASSy. These cables are essential for high-capacity, low-latency connectivity that links Africa with the global networks. With this new IXP, LINX seeks to enhance the local infrastructure that not only benefits Kenya but also neighboring countries such as Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and South Sudan.

Traditionally, intercontinental data traffic from East Africa has been rerouted through Europe. By establishing a local exchange in Mombasa, LINX aims to improve the efficiency of data routing, which in turn is set to lower latency and network expenses, ultimately enhancing the region’s digital resilience.

Nurani Nimpuno, LINX’s Head of Global Engagement, emphasized the importance of the Mombasa IXP as a follow-up to the previous LINX Nairobi IXP, stating that it would promote a better digital experience characterized by lower latency and a more robust network. She also highlighted the role of iColo in supporting the region’s digital needs, paving the way for increased connectivity and innovation.

Several global tech giants, including Netflix, Akamai, and Google, are already utilizing Mombasa’s data centers to host their content locally, which minimizes the time users must wait to access services. This local hosting not only reduces costs but also enhances access speeds, benefiting businesses and consumers alike in the expanding marketplace for cloud services in East Africa.

Ranjith Cherickel, Founder and CEO of iColo, shared his excitement regarding this collaboration, which is expected to provide substantial interconnection opportunities with over 90 networks already linked to their Mombasa facilities. LINX will also facilitate peering at other global stations, further enriching the connectivity experience for its users.

The LINX Mombasa IXP will be housed at iColo’s MBA2 facility and will offer enhanced interconnection services. To ensure a seamless experience, LINX will initially operate using Nokia technology and will support peering services on 100G ports, similar to the infrastructure established in Nairobi. This setup is slated to go live in early Q1 of 2025.

Additionally, LINX is introducing a special initiative for its existing global members, allowing them to utilize a 10G port with a peering service of 1Gbps at no extra cost. This offer reiterates LINX’s commitment to facilitating global interconnection and connectivity growth.

The establishment of LINX Mombasa stands as a strategic move towards strengthening East Africa’s digital connectivity and infrastructure, which is expected to pave the way for future innovation and advancements in the region.

Welcome to DediRock, your trusted partner in high-performance hosting solutions. At DediRock, we specialize in providing dedicated servers, VPS hosting, and cloud services tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses and individuals alike. Our mission is to deliver reliable, scalable, and secure hosting solutions that empower our clients to achieve their digital goals. With a commitment to exceptional customer support, cutting-edge technology, and robust infrastructure, DediRock stands out as a leader in the hosting industry. Join us and experience the difference that dedicated service and unwavering reliability can make for your online presence. Launch our website.