KINIX Expands Across Two Data Centres as Kinshasa Pushes for Stronger Internet Connectivity
Kinshasa’s Internet Exchange is expanding its infrastructure to a second data centre, a move expected to improve network resilience and strengthen the Democratic Republic of Congo’s position in regional internet traffic.
Kinshasa’s internet infrastructure has taken another step forward after the Kinshasa Internet Exchange (KINIX) expanded its operations into a second data centre in the capital.
KINIX announced on August 20, 2026, that it had deployed its exchange infrastructure at Raxio DRC, a carrier-neutral data centre in Kinshasa. The move means the exchange now operates across both Raxio DRC1 and OADC FIH1, rather than being limited to a single facility.
The expansion is significant because an Internet Exchange Point (IXP) operating from multiple facilities can remain more resilient when one location experiences maintenance, power problems or other disruptions.
KINIX Connects Major Mobile Operators and Global Networks
KINIX currently has 23 participating networks and 25 connections, operating across the 196.223.28.0/24 and 2001:43f8:3c0::/64 peering prefixes.
All four major mobile operators in the Democratic Republic of Congo are represented on the exchange. They include Vodacom Congo, Orange RDC, Airtel’s Celtel DRC and Africell RDC.
The exchange also hosts major technology and internet infrastructure networks, including Meta and Cloudflare. AfriNIC’s DNS infrastructure and Packet Clearing House are also connected.
For internet users in Kinshasa, these connections can have a direct impact on how quickly online services respond. When networks can exchange traffic locally, data does not necessarily have to travel through international transit routes before returning to users within the country.
KINIX says its network currently handles more than 1 Tbps of capacity and expects that figure to rise beyond 2 Tbps following the deployment at Raxio DRC.
Why the Second Data Centre Matters for DRC’s Internet
KINIX was established in 2012 and is operated by the Internet Service Provider Association of the DRC (ISPA-DRC) through the RDC-IX project.
The project operates three community and neutral internet exchange points across the country, with the goal of allowing local networks to exchange traffic directly.
For the Democratic Republic of Congo, local traffic exchange can be particularly important because international connectivity remains relatively limited compared with the country’s enormous geographical size.
Keeping more domestic traffic within the country can reduce dependence on international transit, potentially lowering costs for network operators while also reducing latency for users accessing locally connected services.
The new Raxio deployment adds another layer of resilience to that infrastructure.
Raxio DRC has Tier III certification from the Uptime Institute, meaning its infrastructure is designed with redundant power and cooling systems and can undergo certain maintenance activities without requiring the entire facility to go offline.
KINIX operations director Nico Tshintu said the relocation is expected to improve the exchange’s reliability and resilience while supporting its ambition of becoming a regional internet exchange in Central Africa.
KINIX Looks Beyond Congo’s Borders
KINIX’s ambitions extend beyond serving networks inside the DRC.
Several networks registered outside the country are already connected to the exchange, including GVA in Côte d’Ivoire, Paratus and AFR-IX Telecom.
The presence of international networks provides an early indication that KINIX could develop beyond a purely national exchange. However, becoming a major regional internet hub will depend heavily on attracting more networks from neighbouring and nearby markets.
The DRC is also seeing increased competition and development in the internet exchange market.
In May 2026, ACIX became the country’s first distributed internet exchange, establishing a presence across multiple sites in Kinshasa. Separate exchange points also operate in Goma and Lubumbashi, extending internet interconnection infrastructure beyond the capital.
For Kinshasa, the growth of multiple exchange platforms could encourage stronger competition and improve connectivity. However, it could also divide network participation if major operators choose to connect to only one exchange rather than several.
Raxio DRC Strengthens Its Role in Kinshasa’s Digital Infrastructure
KINIX’s arrival adds to Raxio’s growing role as an interconnection location for telecommunications and digital infrastructure companies across Africa.
Raxio operates data-centre facilities in several African markets, including Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The company has increasingly attracted network operators and connectivity providers to its facilities. In July 2026, AFR-IX expanded its network presence into Raxio facilities in Angola and Mozambique, while Raxio’s committed capital had surpassed $380 million.
Raxio DRC general manager Yannick Sukakumu described the Kinshasa facility as a carrier-neutral environment designed to support digital growth, investment, innovation and broader market access.
Can Kinshasa Become a Central African Internet Hub?
KINIX now has more infrastructure capacity and greater physical resilience, but turning Kinshasa into a major Central African internet exchange will require more than additional equipment.
The next challenge will be attracting networks from neighbouring markets such as Brazzaville, Luanda and Kigali.
If more regional operators begin connecting directly to KINIX, Kinshasa could strengthen its position as an important traffic exchange point for Central Africa.
For now, the foundation is becoming stronger. With KINIX spread across two data centres, more than 1 Tbps of existing capacity and an expected move beyond 2 Tbps, the exchange has created additional room for growth.
The bigger question is whether enough regional networks will follow.
