Global deal a lucrative prospect for Africa’s Internet Exchange capability
Amsterdam-based global Internet Exchange operator AMS-IX, and MainData Nigeria Limited (MDXi), an Equinix company, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to operate and grow Internet Exchange services in Africa.
According to the agreement, AMS-IX will set up an internet exchange at MDXi, MainOne’s carrier-neutral datacentre in Lagos Nigeria.
MDXi will also serve as AMS-IX strategic partner and reseller for AMS-IX in West Africa.
The companies believe the partnership will deliver improved interconnection capabilities for existing and new customers on the exchange and “further facilitate the distribution of content into the West African region”.
A statement released by MainOne reads: “With this partnership, content delivery networks, application providers, and hosting companies will now be able to exchange internet traffic locally through the rich interconnected ecosystem of networks, large enterprises, and cloud service providers, and network operators available at MDXi.”
Onno Bos, International Partnership Director at AMS-IX: “Lagos is the ideal location to serve as a content hub for West and Central Africa as it is strategically located in a fast-developing region with landing sites for international subsea cables connecting Africa to EMEA and beyond. We’re thrilled to work with such a strong partner as MainOne to expand this vibrant connectivity community.”
Oluwasayo Oshadami, GM, Technical Solutions, MainOne, added: “We’re excited to work with AMS-IX. AMS-IX has over 25 years of experience building, operating and growing Internet Exchanges all over the world. This partnership is an important step in realizing our long-term strategy to become a leading carrier-neutral digital infrastructure company by bringing a full range of transformative technologies to Africa.”
MDXi and AMS-IX intend to seek alliances to connect with local telecom operators and IX’s to help develop and support local ecosystems.