The Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) has recorded a major milestone, surpassing 1 terabit per second (1Tbps) in peak domestic internet traffic for the first time — a landmark achievement that reinforces Nigeria’s growing digital strength.
Making the announcement in Lagos on Tuesday, the CEO of IXPN, Mr Muhammed Rudman, described the feat as a reflection of Nigeria’s digital maturity and its ongoing transformation into a tech-driven nation.
Rudman explained that by retaining internet traffic within the country, Nigeria has significantly reduced operational costs, improved browsing speeds, and strengthened its digital economy through locally-rooted infrastructure.
According to Rudman, reaching 1Tbps translates to tangible improvements in everyday internet use — from smoother Zoom calls to enhanced streaming and real-time services.
In practical terms, this capacity enables:
Over one million Zoom calls to run simultaneously without disruption
More than 200,000 users to stream HD Nollywood content on Netflix without buffering
The instantaneous transfer of data equivalent to 50,000 smartphones — every second
“For Nigeria, reaching this benchmark reduces our reliance on international bandwidth, cuts down latency for local services, and cements our place as Africa’s digital heartbeat,” Rudman said.
He praised the combined efforts of stakeholders and highlighted the milestone as “a testament to collaboration, innovation, and Nigeria’s relentless pursuit of better connectivity.”
Beyond technical gains, Rudman underscored the economic significance of the achievement. By encouraging domestic traffic exchange, Nigeria avoids costly dependence on international bandwidth.
This, he said, allows businesses to save millions of dollars annually while ensuring faster service delivery and a better user experience in areas such as streaming, gaming, e-health, and online education.
Rudman added that improved local infrastructure also offers resilience against global network disruptions, ensuring that vital services like healthcare and learning platforms remain consistently accessible.
Rudman revealed that IXPN’s internal surveys over the years have documented a growing trend in local traffic exchange. One recent report shows that some members can now localise up to 70% of their internet traffic through IXPN.
Echoing Rudman’s sentiments, IXPN’s Marketing Manager, Mr Raphael Iloka, emphasised the direct benefits to end users. “As more content providers, ISPs, banks, and government institutions localise their traffic via IXPN, users experience faster, more reliable services,” he said.
Iloka added that the 1Tbps peak “highlights the remarkable outcome of industry collaboration,” and that the IXPN continues to serve as the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy.
The Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria is the country’s largest and most established Internet Exchange, operating as a non-profit and member-based organisation. It plays a central role in connecting ISPs, content providers, mobile networks, and enterprise platforms.
As West Africa’s leading Regional Internet Exchange Point (RIXP), IXPN interconnects over 130 active members, including major global tech firms like Google, Meta, Microsoft, TikTok, Amazon, and all Nigerian Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).
By facilitating direct local traffic exchange, IXPN contributes to a more efficient, faster, and robust internet experience across Nigeria and the wider region.