Digital Realty’s subsidiary iColo is playing a central role in the ongoing transition of networks from Asteroid Kenya to the London Internet Exchange (LINX), a move expected to strengthen interconnection capabilities across East Africa.
Following the announcement in September 2025, LINX and Asteroid began coordinating the migration of customers based in Mombasa and Nairobi to LINX’s exchange points in Kenya. Asteroid Kenya is scheduled to cease operations by the end of 2025, prompting a structured handover to maintain service quality and stability for affected networks.
A significant number of these networks operate out of iColo’s carrier-neutral sites,Mombasa One (MBA1) in Miritini and Mombasa Two (MBA2) in Nyali,making the company an essential partner in ensuring the transition progresses smoothly.
Nurani Nimpuno, LINX’s Head of Global Engagement, emphasized the strength of the partnership: “Working with iColo has been vital to this process. Our shared commitment to expanding Kenya’s digital landscape and fostering strong industry relationships has made this transition far more seamless for all parties involved.”
Teams from LINX and Asteroid are jointly supporting customers through the migration, offering personalized consultations and technical assistance. Many networks have already gone live on LINX’s platforms in both Mombasa and Nairobi.
Nimpuno noted that the collaboration has been efficient and well-received: “We’ve been able to guide each customer through their specific requirements, and it’s been encouraging to see how quickly Kenyan networks are joining LINX and tapping into new interconnection opportunities. It highlights Kenya’s growing role as a key digital hub for the region.”
iColo has been instrumental in enabling LINX’s expansion in Kenya. Mombasa, in particular, has become an increasingly important connectivity gateway, supported by seven international subsea cables linking East Africa with major global regions, including Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the rest of the African coastline.
Marcel Louw, Managing Director for Africa at Digital Realty, reaffirmed the company’s commitment: “We’re proud to back LINX through this transition. Our ongoing partnership in Nairobi and Mombasa continues to deliver strong results, and we are excited to help drive the next phase of growth and innovation across East Africa’s digital ecosystem.”
The cooperation between LINX, Asteroid, and Digital Realty reinforces a collective aim: to deliver resilient, scalable, and future-ready interconnection infrastructure throughout the African continent.
