The
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is set to host the 14th annual Africa
Peering and Interconnection Forum (AfPIF) from August 20-24, 2024, at the
Hilton Hotel in Kinshasa. This prestigious event, organized by the Internet
Society (ISOC) and the African IXP Association (AFIX) in collaboration with the
Internet Service Providers Association of DRC, will bring together over 500
participants from across the continent and globally.
AfPIF
aims to improve network interconnection, reduce connectivity costs, and
increase Internet users in the region. The conference will feature insights
from industry leaders, including Meta, Amazon, Netflix, and Liquid Intelligent
Technologies, among others.
The
event highlights the importance of Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) in driving
Africa's digital transformation. IXPs enable local Internet traffic exchange,
improving service quality, reducing costs, and increasing fault tolerance.
Since AfPIF's launch, Internet traffic exchanged within Africa has grown from
160 Mbps to over 4.6 Tbps.
The
DRC, with its strategic location and growing infrastructure, is poised for a
digital transformation. New cross-border backbone, metro fiber, and data center
infrastructure will enhance regional integration, improve livelihoods, and
facilitate commerce.
"The importance of IXPs in contributing to the development of
the Internet in Africa cannot be overstated," said Nico TSHINTU BAKAJIKA, President of the ISPA DRC. "We
are honored to host this year's conference and showcase the progress made in
the DRC."
Kyle
Spencer, Board Chair and Executive Director of AFIX, emphasized the
significance of the event, stating, "The Democratic Republic of Congo
is on the verge of a digital transformation, and we are excited to be a part of
it."
