Burkina Faso's internet exchange ecosystem enables local traffic exchange in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. It reduces international transit requirements and supports faster, more resilient domestic internet services. Internet Society data confirmed continued operation in July 2026.
<p>The AXIS Project aims to facilitate the development of an African internet infrastructure through policy and regulatory reform, capacity building and technical assistance. Development of an African internet infrastructure refers to the establishment of regional internet exchange points (IXPs) and internet carriers.</p>
<p>The AXIS Project is being implemented through two phases. Phase I consists of capacity building to support the establishment of national IXPs through providing a series of two workshops for stakeholders and the Internet Service Provider Association (ISPA) on I) best practice and benefits of IXP and II) technical assistance through workshops which will cover the technical and administrative skills needed to set up, operate, and administer an IXP.</p>
<p>Phase II focuses on supporting establishment of Regional IXP and Regional Internet Carrier through provisioning Capacity building workshops on best practice and benefits of setting up RIXP/IC and providing technical assistance.</p>
<p>The AXIS Project is a flagship project of the African Regional Action Plan on Knowledge Economy (ARAPKE) endorsed by the African Union Executive Council. </p>
<p>The Burkina Faso Exchange Point was set up through the AXIS and ISOC Skills Building Program and the World Bank through WARCIP (West Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Program) for acquisition, installation and configuration IXP equipments and the layout of the technical room.</p>
<p>A non-profit association bringing together operators, internet service providers and research centers is set up to exploit and develop the platform. The association is called BFIX (http://www.bfix.bf/)</p>
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<p>The exchange point is used to switch traffic between members at the local level, reduce the number of network hops when exchanging traffic, increase the number of routing options available, optimize use of international Internet connectivity, improve network resilience (and possibly quality of service), reduce transmission costs, and eventually increase Internet penetration and use over the long term.</p>