Lesotho Internet Exchange Point (LIXP) – Project Underway
The Internet Society is proud to announce significant progress in the upgrading of the Lesotho Internet Exchange Point (LIXP) and the implementation of a robust capacity-building program for the local technical community. The infrastructure upgrade has been successfully completed and fully implemented, marking a major milestone in strengthening Lesotho’s digital landscape. This strategic initiative is designed to enhance the efficiency, security, and affordability of local internet traffic exchange, supporting a more resilient and high-performing internet environment across the country.
Collaboration has been key to the project's success. Stakeholder engagement remains strong, with active participation from government institutions, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), academic networks, and the Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA).
As part of ongoing efforts to build long-term sustainability, a DNS Resilience Training and Research program will be held from 8–12 December 2025, in partnership with C3SA and LCA. This initiative targets network operators and technical personnel, equipping them with the knowledge and skills required to support and maintain the exchange point effectively.
The LIXP plays a vital role in the country’s digital development by:
We commend the dedication of all partners and stakeholders who have contributed to this achievement and look forward to celebrating the full realization of this impactful project.
The Value of the LIXP Investment for Lesotho
An Internet Exchange Point (IXP) like the LIXP is a critical national digital asset, particularly for a landlocked nation like Lesotho. Its core function is to keep local internet traffic local. Without an IXP, communication between two hosts in Maseru might travel thousands of miles through international links before returning.
By preventing this unnecessary routing, the LIXP investment is essential for:
By preventing this unnecessary routing, the LIXP investment is essential for:
The LIXP creates the necessary low-latency, low-cost environment for local digital services, e-commerce, and cloud platforms to thrive. This encourages Basotho entrepreneurs to host content locally, diversifying the economy and creating new jobs.
The IXP reduces Lesotho’s dependency on international transit links for domestic communication. This makes the entire national network more robust and reliable, ensuring critical services (like e-government and banking) remain accessible even if international cables experience outages.