Nigeria’s internet exchange ecosystem is preparing for a significant expansion in capacity, services, and governance as it positions itself to accommodate rising traffic from global content providers and deepen participation across the local and international internet community.
Speaking at the IXPN Annual Members’ Engagement Forum in Lagos, Muhammed Rudman, Chief Executive Officer at the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), outlined a series of network, infrastructure, and policy initiatives aimed at scaling the exchange’s role in Nigeria’s digital economy.
Central to the plan is an ambitious growth target for 2026: doubling total traffic to four terabits per second. Exchange leadership said the target is deliberate and reflects increasing demand from global content platforms as well as growing capacity requirements from local networks.
Rudman disclosed that roughly two terabits of additional traffic are expected to come online before the next reporting period, driven by at least two major global providers. One international provider is already connected to the exchange, while discussions are ongoing with a second provider expected to peer in the coming months. If both connections are completed, total traffic could approach three terabits per second by the next annual report. To encourage faster onboarding, the exchange is offering waivers and discounted pricing to new content providers, alongside pricing flexibility for existing members seeking to scale capacity.
To ensure the infrastructure can support this growth, the exchange is upgrading its core network to support 400Gbps capacity by the second quarter of 2026. Work has already begun on upgrading key inter-city links, including the Lagos–Abuja corridor, with further enhancements planned across the network. Equinix has provided co-location space in Port Harcourt and will also offer significant capacity between Lagos and Abuja for a defined period, strengthening national resilience and reducing congestion risk.
Port availability is also being expanded. While the exchange previously offered 1Gb and 10Gb ports, additional port options are being introduced, with updated pricing to be published publicly. The deployment of 400Gb-capable switches is expected to be completed by the end of the month, and work is underway to onboard additional content delivery networks, including one of the largest global CDNs, which is expected to activate this quarter. Members approaching 70 percent port utilization have been encouraged to engage early so upgrades can be completed and pricing prorated where appropriate, ensuring the exchange does not become a bottleneck as new content comes online.
Alongside capacity expansion, the exchange is rolling out improvements to DNS and routing hygiene to strengthen network security and performance. Planned measures include filtering leaked private IP addresses, improving reverse DNS handling, and expanding DDoS mitigation capabilities such as blackholing to protect members during large-scale attacks.
The exchange is also investing in physical and institutional infrastructure. Plans are underway to develop a seven-story headquarters designed as a permanent ecosystem hub for Nigeria’s internet industry. The building will include a dedicated academy floor, an events floor, and co-working space for ISPs, particularly members. At least three floors will be offered for sale to member organizations seeking a permanent presence within the facility. The site includes a 1,000-capacity event center already acquired by the exchange, and once completed, all member engagement forums and industry events are expected to be hosted there.
Capacity building remains a central priority for 2026. Member feedback highlighted persistent skills gaps, compounded by the migration of trained engineers to overseas markets. In response, the exchange plans to expand hands-on, in-person training programs, including internships and placements for NYSC members once the new headquarters becomes operational. Some courses will be offered free, while others will be priced at break-even levels, reflecting the exchange’s non-profit mandate. The exchange is also seeking partnerships with service providers and ecosystem players capable of delivering technical training aligned with industry needs.
On corporate and governance matters, the exchange is proposing reforms to its participation model to reduce friction for international onboarding while preserving its community-driven structure. Historically, all participants signed the same membership agreement, but some international providers have indicated a preference to consume services without becoming formal members. To address this, the exchange is considering separating participation into three categories: full members with voting and election rights; customers who connect and use services without membership obligations; and affiliate or associate members, such as ecosystem partners, who may participate in meetings but not board elections.
Governance documents are also under review. As a company limited by guarantee, the exchange has no shareholders, and any surplus is reinvested into operations rather than distributed as profit. Members collectively serve as custodians of the organization, and in the event of liquidation, assets would be transferred to a similar entity. Proposed updates include revising the governance structure that previously assumed representation across six geopolitical zones, an approach that no longer reflects the concentration of active participants. The exchange is considering a more flexible and transparent election framework that allows any eligible participant to stand for representation.
Rudman also announced a renewed push to accelerate Autonomous System Number (ASN) adoption across Nigeria, describing it as critical to improving competition, reducing transit dependency, and strengthening local traffic control. The initiative, with Africa Hyperscalers, aims to support smaller ISPs, content platforms, educational institutions, and enterprises in acquiring and operationalizing ASNs, with technical assistance, training, and advocacy forming part of the effort. Exchange leadership said expanding ASN density is essential to keeping more Nigerian internet traffic local, lowering costs, and building a more resilient and competitive national internet ecosystem.
