Amidst a rare and collective acknowledgment of outstanding contributions to internet advancement across Africa, Michuki Mwangi, renowned technology specialist focused on online expansion with the Internet Society (ISOC), has received the Africa Peering Pioneer Award — the most prestigious award granted at the 2025 Africa Peering and Interconnection Forum (AfPIF) held in Lagos.
The award, presented during the AfPIF/Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) Annual Awards, marks a pivotal moment in the continent’s digital transformation journey.
Mwangi, who has been seen as one of Africa’s leading figures in internet development, was honored for his more than 20 years of work in establishing regional infrastructure, internet exchange points (IXPs), and groups focused on peer connections and network interlinking.
“He didn’t just build infrastructure – he built a movement,” said Muhammed Rudman, Chief Executive Officer, IXPN – a local host, while describing Mwangi’s role in co-designing the Internet Society’s Interconnection and Traffic Exchange programme, which laid the foundation for AfPIF itself more than 15 years ago.
Prior to working at ISOC in 2008, Mwangi oversaw Kenya’s .KE domain and played a key role in establishing the Kenya Internet Exchange Point (KIXP), which later became one of East Africa’s main traffic centers. His efforts and technical expertise were instrumental in deploying essential DNS and root server systems throughout Africa, thereby lowering delays and maintaining more data within the region.
Currently, via ISOC and his international collaborations with AfNOG, AfriNIC, ICANN, and other entities, Mwangi remains instrumental in defining policies, building infrastructure, and driving investments within Africa’s digital foundation — a contribution increasingly acknowledged by colleagues throughout the worldwide internet governance sphere.
The accolades also recognized a group of engineers, decision-makers, and network administrators for their ongoing dedication to the development of the region’s interconnected infrastructure.
Thirteen individuals, including Frank Habicht (Tanzania Internet Exchange); Nishal Goburdhan (Packet Clearing House); Mark Tinka (SEACOM); Kyle Spencer (African IXP Association); Hisham Ibrahim (RIPE NCC); Fearghas McKay (FLEXOPTIX GmbH); Michele Opiyo (Meta/Internet Society); Ben Roberts (DigitalEconomy.ke); Andrew Owens (NAPAfrica); Jane Coffin (Connect Humanity); Darwin Da Costa (DE-CIX) and Nico Tshintu Bakajika (Internet Service Provider Association – DRC), were named Africa Peering Champions, a distinction reserved for those who have played critical roles in expanding IXPs, mentoring ecosystem leaders and enhancing regional connectivity.
The AfPIF Consistent Supporters Award was presented to notable figures from various sectors, including Fiona Asonga (Technology Service Providers of Kenya); Carla Sanderson (NAPAfrica/Teraco); Nurani Nimpuno (London Internet Exchange (LINX)); Yolandi Robinson (De-CIX); Matthew Chigwende (Head of Network Engineering at Liquid Telecommunications); Mathieu Paonessa (CTO GVA); Heather Third (NSRC); Ben Ryall (Meta); Caglar Dabanoglu (AKAMAI); Simon Mayoye (TESPOK); Jorgen Grinnes (AWS); Madhvi Gookol (AfriNIC); Edrich de Lange (INX-ZA/ISPA); Patrick Christian (TeleGeography); Dr. Ayotunde Coker (Open Access Data Centers) and Professor Meoli Kashorda (Kenya Education Network), for their ongoing contributions throughout several years of the yearly conference.
Furthermore, the AfPIF Leadership Award was given to the Internet Society’s internal group, which consists of Dawit Bekele and Marsema Tariku, Dawit Bekele, Marsema Tariku, Betel Hailu, Sally Harvey, Jean Baptiste Millogo, Ghislain Nkeramugaba, Henok Sisay, Kevin Chege, and Amreesh Phokeer, recognizing their effective management and understated guidance in organizing one of Africa’s most significant internet gatherings.
AfPIF was initially established as a means to decrease Africa’s dependence on external data routes and has evolved into a key element of the continent’s internet economic plan. As localized traffic management, lowering expenses, and adhering to regulations have become pressing concerns, the technological and policy cooperation promoted through AfPIF has gained increased importance strategically.
The event this year was held in Lagos for the first time and organized by IXPN, Rack Centre, and Af-CIX. A significant development happened during the gathering as the Internet Society (ISOC) formally handed over the administration of the African Peering and Interconnection Forum (AfPIF) to the Africa Internet Exchange Point Association.
This transition represents a passing of the torch from one generation to the next, enabling emerging professionals in the sector to take charge in defining the direction of Africa’s network infrastructure.
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