Project designed to assess the technical, legal, institutional, and financial readiness for establishing a sustainable Regional Internet Exchange Point (RIXP) for the ECOWAS region.
The challenge
The ECOWAS region lacks a unified and efficient Regional Internet Exchange Point, resulting in higher internet costs, lower network performance, and dependence on international routing for intra-regional traffic.
A comprehensive feasibility study was required to evaluate candidate sites, define technical and regulatory requirements, assess institutional models, and determine the overall viability of creating a regional RIXP tailored to the ECOWAS context.
Project outline
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Assessed the current IXP landscape across ECOWAS countries and benchmarked it against global best practices.
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Defined technical infrastructure and equipment requirements for the RIXP, including bandwidth needs and operational specifications.
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Evaluated existing IXPs, data centers, and candidate locations to identify the most suitable host site for regional exchange services.
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Analyzed legal and regulatory considerations, including data protection, IP rights, liability, and cybersecurity requirements.
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Proposed an institutional and governance model designed to ensure effective management and stakeholder alignment.
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Conducted financial analysis, including CAPEX/OPEX projections, business model recommendations, and potential funding mechanisms from donors and private investors.
Our impact
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Delivered a complete feasibility assessment enabling ECOWAS to make informed decisions on regional digital infrastructure investment.
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Identified technically and operationally viable candidate sites, reducing regional dependency on costly international routing.
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Provided a clear governance and institutional model that supports regional cooperation and long-term sustainability.
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Equipped policymakers with financial, regulatory, and operational insights to support donor engagement and future deployment of a regional RIXP.
Duration of engagement: July 2024 – December 2024