NTT DATA powers Africa's digital future with 400 Gbps peering

NTT DATA has achieved a major milestone in Africa's digital infrastructure by becoming the first network operator on the continent to activate 400 Gbps peering at the Johannesburg Internet Exchange (JINX)

As one of the world’s fastest-growing digital regions, Africa continues to see rising internet usage, expanding submarine cable networks, and increasing adoption of digital services. Against this backdrop, investment in high-capacity, high-performance exchange infrastructure is becoming essential to support innovation, economic growth, and broader digital inclusion.

The introduction of 400 Gbps peering represents a step forward for both NTT DATA’s network capabilities and the development of Africa's internet exchange landscape. It also highlights how South Africa’s exchange ecosystem is aligning with global standards, enabling higher-capacity and lower-latency connectivity to meet growing demand.

Established in 1996, JINX was the continent's first internet exchange point and remains a key component of regional digital infrastructure, operating across several data centres in Johannesburg. It is managed by the Internet Exchange Point of South Africa, a division of the Internet Service Providers' Association. Through its broadband network operations, NTT DATA plays a central role in linking access networks, content providers, and enterprise platforms.

“Africa’s Internet traffic is growing rapidly and the demand for scalable, resilient and low-latency connectivity continues to increase," said JC Burger, director of infrastructure engineering and operations at NTT DATA in South Africa.

"Establishing 400Gbps peering at JINX is a strategic investment that strengthens our ability to deliver high-performance connectivity while supporting the long-term growth of Africa’s digital economy."

The upgrade is expected to deliver clear benefits for businesses, including improved performance during peak traffic periods, increased capacity to manage sustained data growth, and enhanced reliability for digital services.

This development underlines South Africa's readiness for hyperscale peering while reinforcing NTT DATA’s focus on building scalable, carrier-grade infrastructure. Through continued investment, the company is helping to create a more resilient, high-performance internet ecosystem and supporting digital transformation efforts across the continent.