MainOne, an Equinix Company to host Africa Peering and Interconnection Forum (AfPIF) 2020 in Ghana

MainOne, an Equinix company, has been named as the host for next year’s African Peering and Interconnection Forum in Accra, Ghana, following a just-ended event for 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda.

This year’s industry forum, which marked a return to the in-person session since its postponement in 2020 due to the COVID -19 global pandemic, focused on Internet interconnection dynamics, content distribution, and transit obstacles at the local and regional levels.

The Country Manager of MainOne Ghana, Emmanuel Kwarteng, applauded Ghana’s selection to host AfPIF 2023 and noted Ghana’s strategic location, ease of access, and budding telecommunications industry make it the best location to host Africa’s technical community of Infrastructure providers, Internet service providers (ISPs), Internet Exchange points (IXPs), mobile network operators (MNOs), content [providers, large enterprise networks, policymakers, and regulators.

According to him, MainOne’s drive to increase peering and interconnection within the West African sub-region with its certified data centers in Ghana, Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire and how the peering event in Accra will enhance this effort and push toward the region’s target of keeping 80 percent of local content local.

In addition to serving as an avenue to broaden the interconnection landscape in Ghana, Mr. Kwarteng said the event would also drive investment opportunities and employment in the country while enabling the digital infrastructure that will support the Government of Ghana’s digitalization agenda.

Attended by infrastructure providers. Internet Service Providers (ISPs0, Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Content Providers, Large Enterprise Networks, Policymakers, Internet Enthusiasts, and Regulators, the forum not only afforded delegates the platform to address key interconnection opportunities and challenges in Africa but also facilitated a robust discussion on cross-border interconnection approached and challenges.

Initiated 12 years ago, the African Peering and Interconnection Forum aim to promote national and cross-border interconnection development and offers the African technical community a unique opportunity to showcase interconnection challenges and opportunities.

Recently acquired by Equinix, the world’s digital infrastructure company, MainOne continuous to dominate the West Africa sub-region with its world-class submarine cable system, state-of-the-art IP NGN network, growing regional and metro terrestrial fiber optic network, and data center facilities enabling services for businesses needing digital access in West Africa. 

 By: Kanto Okanta