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By Chinenye Anuforo
Digital Realty has expanded Nigeria’s internet infrastructure footprint with the launch of a new Internet Exchange Point of Presence (PoP) for the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) at its recently commissioned data centre in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
The development is expected to boost local internet traffic exchange, reduce latency and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a digital connectivity hub in West Africa.
The new PoP builds on IXPN’s existing presence at Digital Realty’s Victoria Island campus, extending its reach across 12 data centres nationwide. With this expansion, IXPN is now present in all major data centres in Lagos, reinforcing the city’s growing role as a central node for regional and international connectivity.
Digital Realty’s Lekki facility holds strategic importance as a landing point for the 2Africa subsea cable system, one of the world’s largest submarine cable networks connecting over 46 locations across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The integration is expected to deliver faster and more reliable connectivity, further integrating Nigeria into the global digital economy.
With operations now spanning both Lekki and Victoria Island, Digital Realty has also become the first carrier-neutral data centre provider in Lagos to operate two campuses, a move that enhances network resilience and disaster recovery capabilities for businesses and service providers.
Industry stakeholders argued that the expanded IXPN access at the Lekki campus will provide networks, cloud providers, and enterprises with improved peering options, enabling faster data exchange, reduced operational costs, and improved service delivery.
Managing Director of Digital Realty Nigeria, Ike Nnamani, described the move as a strategic step in strengthening both local and international connectivity.
“This activation at our Lekki campus represents a deepening of our commitment to connecting Nigeria’s digital economy to global networks. By integrating IXPN’s exchange point, we are enabling lower latency and greater operational efficiency for our customers,” he said.
For IXPN, the expansion aligns with its growing ecosystem of over 130 peering members, including internet service providers, global content platforms, and cloud operators.
Chief Executive Officer of IXPN, Muhammed Rudman, said the new PoP would enhance connectivity and accelerate digital inclusion.
“Expanding IXPN to Digital Realty’s Lekki campus is a significant step in improving connectivity across Nigeria. Our members will benefit from faster, low-latency connections, supporting broader digital access and economic growth,” he said.
IXPN has continued to play a critical role in localising internet traffic within Nigeria, a move widely recognised for improving performance and reducing costs.
Data from the exchange shows that peak domestic internet traffic surpassed 1 terabit per second (Tbps) in April 2025 and exceeded 2 Tbps by March 2026, underscoring the rapid growth of local data consumption and exchange.
Experts noted that keeping internet traffic within the country reduces dependence on international bandwidth, improves speed and reliability, and delivers significant cost savings for operators and service providers.
As Nigeria’s digital economy continues to expand, investments in infrastructure such as data centres, submarine cables, and internet exchange points are expected to play a cr
