IRAQ-IXP, Iraq’s first and only neutral Internet Exchange, is celebrating its first anniversary with remarkable growth. In just one year, IRAQ-IXP, powered by DE-CIX, has quickly risen to become the third-largest Internet Exchange (IX) in the Middle East, connecting 28 networks, including major global players such as Meta, Akamai, and Tencent.
Peak traffic has surged to nearly 180 Gigabits per second (Gbit/s), marking a 150% increase since January 2025 and emphasizing Iraq’s growing significance in the regional digital ecosystem.
Hosted at the Iraq Connectivity Gateway (ICG) in Baghdad, IRAQ-IXP operates under the DE-CIX as a Service (DaaS) model, built on DE-CIX’s award-winning infrastructure. The exchange offers low-latency interconnection, enhanced network security, and scalable connectivity, positioning itself as a vital hub for regional digital transformation.
The exchange’s impressive growth highlights the rising demand for high-speed, reliable connectivity in Iraq and the broader region.
“We are thrilled with the growth of IRAQ-IXP powered by DE-CIX in its first year,” said Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX. “The increasing number of national and international network operators seeking to offer services in Iraq speaks to the vibrant local digital ecosystem around the exchange. Already the third-largest IX in the Middle East and growing rapidly, IRAQ-IXP is meeting Iraq’s demand for faster, more stable, and higher-quality Internet connectivity.”
Ahmed Rakwi, CEO of IRAQ-IXP, emphasized the broader vision for the exchange: “From the outset, our vision was clear—to position Iraq as a digital hub for the region. Achieving the milestone of becoming the third-largest Internet Exchange in the Middle East within just one year reflects both our ambition and the trust placed in us by global and local networks. Powered by DE-CIX, IRAQ-IXP is redefining connectivity standards in Iraq, and this is just the beginning.”
DE-CIX has been a major player in the Middle East for over a decade, operating Internet Exchanges in Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, the UAE, and Turkey. IRAQ-IXP, powered by DE-CIX, follows the success of other DE-CIX-operated exchanges, such as UAE-IX in Dubai, helping to foster digital growth across the region.
