The Nigeria Internet Exchange has gone live at a data centre owned by MainOne in Lagos. This follows a partnership between MainData Nigeria (MDXi) and the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) with the intention to expand the peering of Internet Transit traffic within the West African country.

In a statement, MainOne revealed that the partnership will grow traffic in the Nigerian Internet Exchange by leveraging its already connected networks and content providers.

"With its open access submarine cable system, Tier III data centre and IP transit network already connected to the Lagos, Accra, London and Amsterdam Internet Exchanges, MDXi will bring to the Exchange the capacity to connect directly with the greatest number of IP transit and Content Delivery networks in West Africa," said MainOne.

At an event to officially sign the Memorandum of Understanding, the Chief Executive Officer of IXPN, Muhammed Rudman noted that efforts are being made by the Exchange to deepen local content via partnerships to drive the creation and hosting of content in-country.

"Our partnership with MDXi provides our members direct and more cost-effective interconnection with their partners, leveraging hosting in MDXi's Tier III Data Centre, and access via MainOne's open-access submarine cable. This will enhance local internet performance, lower costs and minimise traffic bottlenecks for Internet traffic in Nigeria," said Rudman.

MainOne's Chief Executive Officer, Funke Opeke said her company aims to improve connectivity across West Africa. "MainOne is committed to the penetration of high quality and affordable broadband internet services in West Africa, and bringing the IXPN closer to our network plays an important role in helping us realise that vision not only for Nigeria but for all of West Africa. Hosting the IXPN in our data centre, MDXi will continue to impact positively on the digital transformation of Nigeria and the overall growth of the Nigerian economy by enabling Internet traffic originating and terminating on any network in Nigeria to remain in-country," she said.