The London Internet Exchange (LINX) is set to further its presence in Kenya with the launch of LINX Mombasa.
This expansion follows the successful establishment of LINX Nairobi a year ago and strengthens LINX’s partnership with local data center operator iColo.
Kenya is considered one of the leading technology powerhouses of Africa, undergoing a digital revolution since the early 2000’s the country has reported an average of 10.8% growth per year since 2016.
Mombasa: The Digital Gateway to East Africa
Mombasa, a strategic coastal city, serves as a crucial hub for submarine internet cables connecting Africa to the global network.
It not only serves Kenya but also provides critical internet traffic infrastructure for neighbouring countries such as Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and even landlocked nations like South Sudan.
These cables, including 2Africa, SEACOM, The East African Marine System (TEAMS) and Eastern Africa Submarine System (EASSy), provide high-capacity, low-latency connectivity across continents.
By facilitating local peering and traffic exchange, LINX Mombasa aims to reduce reliance on international routing, thereby lowering latency and costs for networks operating in the region.
Enhanced Connectivity and Innovation
LINX Head of Global Engagement, Nurani Nimpuno expressed enthusiasm about the expansion, stating: “The launch of the Mombasa IXP is a significant complement to the existing LINX IXP in Nairobi, a step that will bolster interconnection across East Africa. Improved efficient local traffic exchange enhances network resilience, reduces latency, and supports a seamless digital experience.”
Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of iColo, Ranjith Cherickel commented that LINX Mombasa will be the first IXP at iColo’s MBA2 facility and with a physical presence in both sites and an interconnected fabric setup, this adds a new level of interconnection services for the region.
“With over 90 networks connected at our data center campuses in Mombasa, the addition of LINX gives our customers a far-reaching global platform for enhancing interconnectivity. We are excited by the numerous opportunities presented by this collaboration. LINX provides an opportunity for our customers to peer at other global locations, including Nairobi, strengthening worldwide connectivity.”
The collaboration between LINX and iColo brings significant benefits to the region:
- Improved Content Delivery: Global content providers like Google, Akamai, and Netflix can host content locally, reducing latency and bandwidth costs for users.
- Enhanced Interconnectivity: LINX Mombasa will provide a platform for networks to peer with global networks, strengthening worldwide connectivity.
- Advanced Infrastructure: The new IXP will leverage Nokia technology to enable 100G peering services from day one.
- Attractive Membership Package: Existing LINX members can benefit from a 10G port with 1Gbps of peering service at no additional cost.