Building Africa’s Digital Future: The ccTLD Capacity Building Programme A KeNIC & AFRALTI Initiative | Supported by ICANN

Since February 2026, KeNIC (Kenya Network Information Centre) has partnered with AFRALTI (African Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute), with generous support from ICANN, to deliver the Capacity Building and Community Engagement in ccTLD Management Across Africa programme — a continent-wide initiative to strengthen the technical, operational, and governance capacity of country code top-level domain (ccTLD) registries across Africa.

Fully sponsored and delivered bilingually in English and French, the programme has already run through three successful cohorts, training registry operators, regulators, ISPs, mobile and community network operators, government ICT agencies, and domain enthusiasts from across the continent.

Programme Structure

Each cohort follows an intensive, hybrid model:

• 2 weeks online, covering foundational and intermediate modules
• 2 weeks in-person in Nairobi, going deeper into advanced technical and operational content
• Fully sponsored — including flights and accommodation for in-person sessions
• Delivered across five progressive modules, moving participants from registry business fundamentals through to advanced DNS implementation

Cohort 1 — February 2026

Cohort 1 launched the programme with 36 participants, running from 2–27 February 2026. The cohort opened with a module on “Understanding a Registry Business,” covering DNS fundamentals, domain registration workflows, regulatory and legal frameworks, and the growing role of AI in modern registry operations.

Participants represented registries from: Gabon, Algeria, Guinea, Mali, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Senegal, Congo, South Sudan, Eswatini (Swaziland), Gambia, Cape Verde, Botswana, Nigeria, and Guinea-Bissau.

Graduates left the programme certified and ready to lead in strengthening their national internet infrastructure.

Cohort 2 — April/May 2026

Cohort 2 expanded significantly, drawing 65 participants from 12 countries. This intensive online-only training ran from 20 April to 15 May 2026, continuing to build the capacity of ccTLD registries and registrars across the continent.

Participating countries included: São Tomé & Príncipe, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Gambia, Mali, South Sudan, Ghana, South Africa, Uganda, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Cohort 3 — June/July 2026

The third and largest cohort to date drew participants from over 32 countries across Africa, joining both online and in Nairobi, in a strong testament to the continued momentum of continental collaboration in strengthening Africa’s internet infrastructure.

Structure:

• Online sessions: 6–17 July 2026 (Mon–Fri, 3–5pm), with 68 participants joining virtually
• Nairobi/Hybrid sessions: 20–31 July 2026, with French and English streams running in parallel classrooms

Day 1 opened with remarks from KeNIC’s Marketing Manager, Gitau Muraguri, and Commercial and Partnerships Manager, Eric N., before participants moved into the first module on registry business fundamentals. As the in-person leg progressed, participants worked through Module 4 (Registrar’s Internet Infrastructure Management) and Module 5 (Advanced DNS Implementation).

In-person and hybrid participants represented regulators and registries from:

Egypt (NTRA), Cabo Verde (ARME), Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), Uganda (UCC), Ghana (GDNR), Zambia (ZICTA), Rwanda (RICTA), Tanzania (TCRA), Djibouti (Djibouti Telecom), Burkina Faso (ABDI), Chad (ADETIC), Ivory Coast (ARTCI), Mozambique (TurboHost), Malawi (TEVET Authority), Sierra Leone (NatCA), São Tomé & Príncipe (AGER), Burundi (NIC Burundi), Gambia (GICTA), Guinea (ANDE), Nigeria (Connecttobridge), Cameroon (Wemakit), Angola (INFOSI), Mauritania (Nouakchott Service), and Comoros (Comores Telecom).

Online participants also joined from Kenya, DR Congo, Gambia, Libya, Somalia, South Africa, UAE, and Zambia.

Beyond the Technical: A Shared Vision for Africa’s Internet

Throughout the programme, discussions have consistently reinforced that successful ccTLD management extends far beyond technical infrastructure. Effective governance, sound policy frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and sustained public awareness are equally essential in building trust, driving adoption of national domain names, and strengthening each country’s digital identity.

Participants have repeatedly emphasized the importance of regional collaboration in bridging capacity gaps among registries — sharing experiences and best practices that contribute to a more resilient and inclusive African internet ecosystem. Many have also drawn valuable insights from KeNIC’s own experience managing the .KE registry, which has served as a practical model for operational excellence, institutional development, and regional collaboration.

Looking Ahead

Across three cohorts, the programme has now trained well over 150 participants from more than 30 African countries— a clear demonstration of the appetite for collaborative capacity building on the continent.

KeNIC and AFRALTI remain committed, together with ICANN’s continued support, to empowering internet professionals, registry operators, regulators, and policymakers with the knowledge and skills needed to support the growth of Africa’s digital future.