Africa's premier internet development conference comes to Kinshasa

Date: 2024-08-20
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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."

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