… Industry leaders to explore solutions at ngPIF 2026

By Juliet Umeh

Nigeria is targeting more efficient internet services and lower network operating costs through stronger local interconnection, as industry stakeholders prepare to examine ways to improve domestic internet traffic exchange at the 2026 Nigerian Peering and Interconnection Forum, ngPIF.

The two-day forum, scheduled for October 28 and 29 in Lagos, will bring together telecommunications operators, internet service providers, data centres, content providers, regulators and technology companies to discuss solutions to the country’s internet infrastructure challenges.

Convened by the Nigerian Network Operators Group, ngNOG, in collaboration with the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria, IXPN, and the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, the forum will focus on strengthening local traffic exchange, improving network efficiency and supporting Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.

Convenor of ngNOG, Prof. Adewale Adedokun, said Nigeria needed a more strategic approach to internet traffic exchange, content delivery and digital infrastructure development.

“As Nigeria’s digital economy continues to expand, we must pay closer attention to the infrastructure and interconnection arrangements that underpin it. Keeping more traffic local, strengthening peering and improving access to resilient infrastructure are critical to building a faster, more efficient and sustainable Internet ecosystem,” Adedokun said.

Local interconnection enables networks to exchange traffic directly, potentially reducing reliance on international routes when accessing locally available content. This can help lower transit costs, improve network performance and strengthen service reliability.

Adedokun said collaboration among network operators, data centres, content providers, regulators and internet exchange points was essential to addressing shared infrastructure challenges.

“No single player can address these challenges alone. Operators, data centres, content providers, regulators, IXPs and technology companies must work together to create an environment where digital services can be delivered efficiently and reliably from within Nigeria,” he added.

The forum will feature technical sessions, research presentations, industry panels and fireside conversations on internet peering, data centres, connectivity infrastructure, content delivery, regional connectivity and regulation.

Organisers said the event would provide opportunities to exchange technical knowledge, identify investment opportunities and strengthen collaboration towards building a more efficient and resilient internet ecosystem in Nigeria.