Previously, most online content was directed through Internet exchange points (IXPs) in Europe but the trend is changing in favor of regional and local traffic exchange for African ISPs, mobile phone service providers and government agencies.

The Kenya Revenue Authority, for example, is connected to the Kenya Internet Exchange Point (KIXP). Government agencies are offering services online, which has led to more people accessing the Web.

Google, SEACOM, Cisco, Dimension Data, Internet Society and Internet Solutions are some of the companies driving the growth of interconnectivity in the region by channeling content locally and building Internet Points of Presence (PoPs).

SEACOM has made a significant investment since debuting its submarine fiber optic cable two years ago. Last year, the company announced that it was hosting KIXP in Mombasa, and two weeks ago it teamed up with Cisco and Dimension Data to launch an IP platform for content exchange content among nine African cities.

Cisco and Dimension Data were involved in the design and deployment of the IP network and the faster download and streaming speed is expected to raise demand for local services and content as companies push services beyond urban areas.