Workshop

Please register here to attend this workshop.

DE-CIX and the Digital Investment Facility (DIF) are jointly hosting a workshop focused on Building Sustainable and High-Performance Internet Exchange Points in Africa.

This interactive session will explore how trusted digital infrastructure, particularly Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) and data centers, can drive Africa’s digital transformation. It will offer strategic insights, business-case deep-dives, and a group activity to explore how peering and sustainable infrastructure can create local value, lower costs, and strengthen regional internet ecosystems.

TimeSession TitleDescriptionLead
11:00 – 11:10Welcome & Opening RemarksIntroduction and workshop objectivesDE-CIX & DIF
11:10 – 11:35DIF Market Analysis: Digital Infrastructure in Southern AfricaPresentation of DIF’s latest market analysis covering the digital infrastructure landscape, IXP penetration, broadband connectivity, and investment opportunities in Southern Africa. Sets the context for subsequent sessions.DIF
11:35 – 12:00Setting the Scene: IXPs as Strategic InfrastructureOverview of IXPs’ role in reducing international transit dependency, improving latency, supporting local content, and enabling regional interconnection.DE-CIX
12:00 – 12:40Making the Business Case for PeeringDeep dive into peering economics: transit vs peering cost structures, break-even analysis, revenue streams, and value creation for ISPs and data centres.DE-CIX
12:40 – 12:50BreakRefreshments and networking 
12:50 – 12:15Sustainability & Investment ReadinessPresentation on aligning IXPs and digital infrastructure with green principles, operational efficiency, and investment readiness. Introduction to DIF’s capacity-building resourcesDIF
12:15 – 13:00Interactive Group Exercise: Designing anParticipants work in small groups on real-world Southern African scenarios, designing IXP modelsDE-CIX & DIF
13:00 - 13:20IXP for Southern Africacovering governance, funding, peering, and sustainability 
13:20 – 14:30LUNCH  
14:30 - 15:00Plenary Discussion: Lessons from the FieldGroups present key elements of their designs. Facilitated discussion on challenges, trade-offs, and lessons learned from existing IXPs in the regionDE-CIX & DIF
15:00 – 15:40Importance of PeeringDB Understanding the importance of utilising PeeringDB as a tool for scaling your peering.DE-CIX
15:40 - 16:10Strategies for Growing and Engaging Your IXP CommunityWe’ll cover effective business models, outreach techniques, online and in-person engagement, website and portal best practices, and innovative approaches to scaling your IXP.DE-CIX
16:10 - 16:40Wrap-Up: Key Takeaways & Next StepsSummary of insights, open Q&A, discussion of follow-up opportunities for learning and collaborationDE-CIX & DIF
Year
2026
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