Ghana’s Minister of Communications and Digitisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has emphasised the need for robust peering and interconnection for the efficient operation of the country’s digital initiatives and deepening regional connections with neighbouring countries, including Nigeria.
Owusu-Ekuful stated this at the just concluded 12th edition of the African Peering and Interconnection Forum (AfPIF) in Accra, Ghana and hosted by MainOne, an Equinix company.
“This will permit local traffic and promote ICT, which is crucial for any nation wishing to participate fully in the global Internet economy. It will enhance the end-user experience, bring down access costs, and encourage the growth of regional Internet ecosystems,” the minister said.
She highlighted the importance of supporting the aggregation of Internet traffic at interconnection hubs across Africa, which would attract international operators to establish their points of presence (POPs) in the West African region.
The event, co-hosted by the Internet Society (ISOC) and the African IXP Association (AFIX), drew an impressive gathering of global and local industry leaders, regulators and stakeholders advancing Africa’s digital landscape and strengthening connectivity across the continent.
Ghana’s Country Manager, MainOne, Emmanuel Kwarteng, emphasised the significance of AfPIF 2023 in fostering collaborations across Africa’s digital ecosystem.
“In an era of rapid technological advancement, the Internet and content have emerged as two major pillars of modern society, transcending geographical boundaries and revolutionizing the way we do business, communicate, learn, and interact with the world around us,” he stated.
Kwarteng noted that the region cannot over-emphasise the critical role that peering plays in enhancing the reach, reliability and efficiency of this new digital lifestyle.
He said by collaborating with the Internet Society on the shared vision of an inclusive and interconnected Internet society for the continent, noting: “We believe that the transformative partnerships formed here will drive value for a more connected Africa.”