The Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) has declared that the localisation of internet traffic within the country is a critical driver for achieving Nigeria's digital economy ambitions. This position was strongly advocated by the organisation's Managing Director, Muhammed Rudman.
Why Local Traffic Exchange is a National Imperative
Speaking at the AfriTECH 5.0 Forum in Lagos on December 3, 2025, Rudman framed the focus on domestic data exchange as a strategic necessity. He argued that strengthening this local ecosystem is fundamental for national progress in digital speed, security, and economic expansion. Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) serve as the backbone for this local data swapping, offering profound advantages over the traditional method of routing Nigerian traffic internationally.
Tangible Benefits: From Speed to Sovereignty
Rudman outlined several key benefits of local peering. The most immediate for users is a dramatic reduction in latency. When data travels via expensive international undersea cables, delays of 150ms to 300ms are common. However, by exchanging traffic locally at the IXPN, latency plummets to just 5ms to 10ms.
This leap in performance transforms user experience, ensuring smooth video calls, responsive online gaming, reliable fintech transactions, and efficient cloud services. For businesses, this directly translates to enhanced productivity and tool effectiveness.
On a macroeconomic level, the cost savings are substantial. Keeping data within Nigeria's borders saves the nation hundreds of millions of dollars annually that would otherwise be spent on international bandwidth. This cost-efficiency is a cornerstone for sustainable digital economy growth.
Rudman also emphasised enhanced data sovereignty and security. Routing data through foreign infrastructure exposes Nigeria to unnecessary surveillance and security risks. Local exchange ensures Nigerian data remains protected under Nigerian laws, reducing vulnerability to foreign interception and increasing national control over digital assets.
Building a Resilient Digital Future
A further critical advantage is improved network resilience. Heavy reliance on international cables is a vulnerability. If an undersea cable is cut, local exchange ensures essential domestic services remain operational. This disaster-proofing means locally hosted services, like .ng websites and email, continue running normally during international outages, safeguarding business continuity.
Rudman issued a call to action for all stakeholders. He urged policymakers to recognise IXPs as critical national infrastructure, mandate public-sector peering, and create policies that incentivise local hosting. Telecoms and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) must peer more aggressively to fortify the ecosystem.
He also called on global content providers like Google, Meta, and Netflix to deploy more local content caches within Nigeria to serve users directly. Rudman concluded that local traffic exchange is no longer merely a technical option but the cornerstone of Nigeria's digital sovereignty, economic competitiveness, and national security, paving the way for a faster, safer, and more sovereign digital future.
