The Top-Level Domain (TLD) .AFRICA is one of the newest domain name system (DNS) root zones on the internet designated to the African continent, similar to .ASIA for Asia, .EU for Europe, and .US for the United States. The .AFRICA domain, shortened to dotAfrica, was designed with the intent to foster a distinct digital identity for Africa.
The International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a non-profit organization responsible for coordinating the internet’s global domain name system, approved the .AFRICA TLD in 2014 after a lengthy application process. The .AFRICA domain is managed by the South African-based Registry Africa Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the non-profit ZA Central Registry (ZACR).
The .AFRICA TLD is aimed at African citizens, African companies as well as entities associated with Africa. It serves as a regional domain for Africa, providing an opportunity for African businesses, institutions and individuals to showcase their brand more effectively on a continental level. For example, a South African retailer might opt for a .AFRICA domain to expand their footprint and appeal across borders in Africa.
The .AFRICA domain name goes beyond simply increasing the amount of available web addresses. It also seeks to promote African businesses and regional integration online, connecting and unifying the African internet community. According to the African Union Commission (AUC), the .AFRICA domain is a significant milestone in Africa’s digital landscape and a symbol of Africa’s contribution to the global digital economy.
Since the launch of the .AFRICA TLD, several countries, businesses, and organizations have adopted it, such as ABSA (www.absa.africa), one of Africa’s largest diversified financial services groups, and AFRINIC (www.afrinic.africa), the Regional Internet Registry for Africa.
In conclusion, the .AFRICA TLD provides an avenue for Africa to create a stronger online presence and foster regional integration. Organizations such as ICANN, ZACR and AUC have played prominent roles in the conceptualization and implementation of the .AFRICA domain. Its growth and acceptance will likely depend on how effectively it’s marketed, the ease of registration, and the perceived value add to African brands.
Sources:
1. ICANN Archives (https://archive.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/africa-vienna-prelim-12jul13-en.pdf)
2. ZACR (https://registry.africa/organisation/)
3. African Union Commission (https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20170310-2)
4. ABSA Africa (https://www.absa.africa/)
5. AFRINIC Official Website (https://www.afrinic.net/)
