Iraq’s DE-CIX-powered internet exchange boosts regional connectivity

Iraq’s DE-CIX-powered internet exchange boosts regional connectivity is profiled by BTW Media because published evidence links it to internet infrastructure, governance, operational dependencies, or market visibility.

• IRAQ-IXP powered by DE-CIX has grown rapidly to become the third-largest Internet Exchange in the Middle East, connecting nearly 30 networks and seeing traffic surge.
• The expansion of local peering infrastructure aims to improve low-latency access, boost content localisation and strengthen digital resilience for Iraqi users and businesses.

What happened: Iraq’s digital hub emerges with DE-CIX interconnection growth

Iraq has achieved a major milestone in its digital infrastructure with the rapid growth of IRAQ-IXP powered by DE-CIX, a neutral Internet Exchange Point (IXP) hosted at the Iraq Connectivity Gateway in Baghdad. Launched just over a year ago, the exchange has become the third-largest in the Middle East by number of connected networks, with 28 connections including major global players such as Meta, Akamai and Tencent. Peak traffic through the exchange has climbed to almost 180 Gbit/s, marking a 150 per cent increase since early 2025.

Operated under the DE-CIX as a Service (DaaS) model, the platform delivers enterprise-grade peering and interconnection services that enable local and regional networks to exchange traffic efficiently, reducing dependence on distant routing and lowering latency for end users. The system supports private networks, content delivery networks (CDNs), cloud services and internet service providers (ISPs), helping to retain traffic locally and improve stability and scalability.

DE-CIX, one of the world’s leading operators of Internet exchanges, has been active across the Middle East for more than a decade, running IXs in countries including the UAE, Jordan and Turkey. The success of IRAQ-IXP reflects both market demand for reliable digital infrastructure and broader efforts by Iraq’s telecommunications sector to position the country as a regional connectivity hub.

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Why it’s important

The rise of IRAQ-IXP is significant for Iraq’s digital economy and broader connectivity strategy. By enabling local peering, the exchange reduces the need for traffic to be routed via distant hubs such as Europe or the Gulf, which can increase latency and cost. Localising internet traffic strengthens performance for users, cuts operational expenses for carriers and enhances resilience against regional network disruptions.

Improved interconnection infrastructure also makes Iraq more attractive to international service providers and content platforms, encouraging investment and partnerships. As data traffic continues to grow across the Middle East, having a robust IXP helps ensure that local and regional digital ecosystems can flourish with fast, reliable access to both global and domestic content.

Moreover, the growth of IRAQ-IXP illustrates how emerging markets can leverage neutral, carrier-agnostic exchanges to accelerate digital transformation, support cloud adoption and pave the way for future innovations in telecom and data services.