July 31st 2026: KeNIC Concludes Inaugural African ccTLD Training Summit

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.

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.

Programme Graduation: A Milestone for Africa’s Digital Future

Friday, 31 July 2026 marked the graduation of Cohort 3 — the final cohort of the programme — bringing the initiative to a close on a high note. Across all three cohorts, the numbers tell a powerful story:

  • 183 people trained
  • 32 African countries represented, both online and in person
  • 9 specialised trainers
  • 3 cohorts, one mission

The Nairobi graduation and closing sessions also drew national media attention, reporting on the programme’s impact in strengthening cybersecurity, internet governance, and domain registry management across the continent, and highlighting Nairobi’s growing role as a regional hub for digital skills development.

Reflecting on the significance of the programme, KeNIC CEO Andrew Lewela emphasised that Africa’s digital future will not be shaped by individual institutions but through strong partnerships between registries, governments, regulators, the technical community, and industry — partnerships that strengthen the Domain Name System, accelerate digital transformation, and position Africa as a leading force in the global digital economy.

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

Throughout the programme, discussions 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 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 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

With the programme’s three cohorts now complete, 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. The strong community and momentum built across Cohorts 1 to 3 lay a solid foundation for future collaboration on the continent.

#DotKE #CapacityBuilding #ccTLD #AfricaInternet