Botswana is nearing an agreement to host the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional internet exchange, a move that would cement its status as the bloc’s primary digital gateway.
The country’s national fibre network operator, Botswana Fibre Network (BoFiNet), is collaborating closely with the SADC Secretariat on this initiative.
Keabetswe Segole, CEO of BoFiNet, highlighted that the competition to host the regional internet exchange comes amid the company’s robust fibre infrastructure, which has been developed over the past 12 years. The network includes multiple undersea cables and a multi-route terrestrial system spanning South Africa and Namibia, forming a resilient backbone.
Segole emphasised that this extensive network, combined with the newly launched Digital Delta Data Centre, positions Botswana as a “world-class ecosystem” capable of serving as a gateway into the SADC region.
“We are hopeful that Botswana will host the SADC regional internet exchange,” said Segole, expressing optimism about finalising the deal during the upcoming launch of the Digital Delta Data Centre.
The CEO further revealed that BoFiNet and a company from Zimbabwe have been shortlisted, with both firms entering the final stages of evaluation. The data centre’s strategic importance extends beyond regional connectivity, offering opportunities for small and medium enterprises such as content creators and e-commerce businesses to thrive.
Segole concluded that Botswana’s strategic location within the SADC region makes its data centre an ideal peering point for customers in northern neighbouring countries, bolstering its role as a critical digital hub in southern Africa.
