IRAQ-IXP EXCHANGE
“Increasing numbers of national and international network operators want to offer services in Iraq as part of the vibrant local digital ecosystem growing around the exchange
remarkable growth
provides low-latency interconnection, enhanced network security, and scalable connectivit
crucial hub for regional digital transformation
powered by DE-CIX has grown to 28 networks, including major global players such as Meta, Akamai, and Tencent
redefining connectivity standards in Iraq
IRAQ-IXP, Iraq’s first and only neutral Internet Exchange, is celebrating its first anniversary with has quickly risen to become the third-largest IX in the Middle East in terms of connected networks.
In just one year, IRAQ-IXP powered by DE-CIX has grown to 28 networks, including major global players such as Meta, Akamai, and Tencent.
Peak traffic has soared to nearly 180 Gigabits per second (Gbit/s), a 150% increase since January 2025, underscoring Iraq’s increasing role in the regional digital landscape.

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 provides low-latency interconnection, enhanced network security, and scalable connectivity, serving as a crucial hub for regional digital transformation.
The exchange’s remarkable growth reflects the increasing demand for high-speed and reliable connectivity in Iraq and beyond.
“We are delighted by the strong growth of IRAQ-IXP powered by DE-CIX in its first year of operations,” said Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX.
“Increasing numbers of national and international network operators want to offer services in Iraq as part of the vibrant local digital ecosystem growing around the exchange.
“Already the third-largest IX in the Middle East and growing rapidly, IRAQ-IXP is meeting Iraq’s demand for higher-speed, more stable, and better-quality Internet connectivity.”
Ahmed Rakwi, CEO of IRAQ-IXP, highlighted the exchange’s broader vision: “From the beginning, our vision was clear — to position Iraq as a digital hub for the region.
“Reaching the milestone of becoming the third-largest Internet Exchange in the Middle East within just one year is not only a reflection of our ambition, but also of 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 active in the Middle East for over a decade, now operating Internet Exchanges in Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, the UAE, and Turkey.
IRAQ-IXP powered by DE-CIX follows in the footsteps of other successful DE-CIX-operated exchanges, such as UAE-IX in Dubai.