Implementation of an ECOWAS Regional Internet Exchange Points
By Anonymous (not verified), 17 March 2026
PIDA Code
I.02.30.03
Project Status
Active
Project Stage
Transaction Support & Financial Close
Completion Percentage
0
Sector Name
ICT
Subsector Name
Internet Exchange Point
Alternative Names
ECOWAS RIXP; West Africa Regional IXP
Reference Plan
PIDA PAP 2
On SDM
Off
Summary
Feasibility study validated at regional workshop in Accra, Ghana, April 14-16, 2025 under ECOWAS PPDU and Directorate for Digital Economy and Postal Services. Study funded by European Union. AfDB identified as potential key financier for implementation phase. Project advanced from S0 (2020) to S2B (2024) — two full stages in four years, driven by strong ECOWAS institutional commitment.
Description
Establishment of a Regional Internet Exchange Point (RIXP) for public peering within the ECOWAS region. The RIXP will enable intra-ECOWAS internet traffic to be exchanged locally by public peering, thereby avoiding external transit hubs and reducing latency and costs. The project will interconnect existing national IXPs across ECOWAS member states to create a unified regional hub for digital services. A phased feasibility study funded by the European Union was completed and validated in April 2025, providing the technical and financial blueprint including regulatory harmonisation requirements, redundant peering design, and funding models leveraging regional ISP and service provider partnerships.
Capex Cost
0.30USD million
Project Risk
Technical implementation complexity across multiple regulatory environments; Operational coordination among 15 ECOWAS member states; Ensuring long-term cost recovery and financial sustainability; Maintaining vendor neutrality and open access principles
Countries
Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo