.Africa
The launch of the .africa East Africa Campaign


                                   1bn people,
                                  54 countries,
                                      1domain

                                     By Sophia Bekele
                                    Executive Director
                                   DotConnectAfrica
                                   Former Policy Advisor,
                                                  ICANN
1.  Theme for .Africa campaign
2.  State of the African Internet usage
3.  The vision of .africa domain
4.  The need for Africa Specific Domain
5.  Strengthening ccTLDs –impact of .africa
    domain
6. Who is DotConnectAfrica?
7. Organizational Structure
8. Governance Representation & Community
9. Achievements/Challenges
10. How do u get involved, aside from being a
    consumer?
11. Next Step for you!
                                                                        • Africa
                 AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
Official launch of the dotafrica East Africa Campaign.:

.    Announce our three “ Yes” to a “.africa” campaign”
.   Announcing the progress we have made
.   Launch our New website
.    Ways to get the DCA vision at continental and global level.
.    Strengthen our governance structure by adding key
    stakeholders that has contribution power
.    Mobilization of African Thought Leaders
.    Publication of a research of the demand for ‘.africa’ name.
.    Road show and amplification of ”.africa” to ensure
    endorsement and scalability.
.    Raising Civil Society Awareness and submit the Manifest to
    public consultation.
.    Retreat in Mombasa March 2011, post application to
    ICANN.                                                 • Africa
                          AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
My passion
www.sophiabekele.com




                              UNICT, UNGAID, UNECA, AU




                       AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
Information Society
               to
        Internet Society

Computer Science is no more about computers
than astronomy is about telescopes.
   - E.W. Dijkstra



                     AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
Opportunities

The global Economy is reforming

• Affordable internet, phone, pc devises, prices, CapEx Vs. OpEx,
  NGN
• Web 2.0 (social tipping point); Viral ; Cloud computing
• where one has a convergence of 70% of the planet bring
  universal access and democracy of information
• Interesting business models and consumer reach and increase
  in productivity

 expand knowledge ,
 creation capacity,
 advances In science and health.


                         AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
A Paradigm shift - Convergence Opportunities

Internet use has exploded globally
  • more than 300% since 2000
  • 1.4 million Internet users
  • 3.6 billion people use mobile telephony just
     over half of the world’s population
This intersection
– where users access the
Internet from their mobile
phones – maps a
revolutionary digital paradigm
shift
                     AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
A Common Vision
 Vision without action is a daydream.
 Action without vision is a nightmare.
                                        Japanese Proverb




                                                                  • Africa
           AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
aitec.africa
                     paynet.africa                          mobilemoney.africa

                 lagos.africa
safaricom.africa                                              tourism.africa              Si.africa
         sunmicro.africa                                                          pesapal.africa
misys.africa
               copycat.africa                                                     sevenseas.africa
     UnitedBank.africa
visa.africa                                                                       salamon.ug.africa
safaricom.co.ke.africa
COMESA.africa                                                                      ecobank.africa

          citibank.africa                                                 Iveri.africab
           Renaissancecapital.africa             webtribe.africa  Cybercrime.africa   allafrica.africa
                      chamberofcommerce.africa                          KDN.africa
         wildlife.africa            icann.africa                 banking.africa       eac.africa
                       microfinance.africa        cooking.africa                 shoes.africa
                    Intrepid Data.africa                              mobicash.africa
USAID.afri                gatesfoundation.afric             dgi.africa.africa
                2020 .africa                    GrameenFoundation.africa
                                                                                                   • Africa
                                         AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
Status of TLDs
There are presently 21 gTLDs in the root zone

There were eight that predate ICANN:
   .com .edu .gov .int .mil .net .org .arpa


Seven were added in a round starting
  .aero .biz .coop .info .museum .name .pro . Post

Six were added in a round starting in 2004
  .asia .cat .jobs .mobi .tel .travel (soon to be added)

Experience in past rounds has been factored into current new gTLD
Panning

ccTLDs are currently allocated per reference to the ISO3166-1 list (e.g.
.cn for China, .gr for Greece) IDN ccTLDs being added via IDN ccTLD fast Track
Process                                                                                  • Africa
                                  AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
Need for Africa-specific domain
• Currently, Internet users in the Pan-Africa and
  African region only have the option of utilizing a
  generic TLD (gTLD) whose registrants are dominated
  by US and European individuals and businesses, or
  country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) that are intended for
  local use

• Current gTLDs also tend to focus on a vertical group
  (e.g. commercial entities, network providers,
  organizations , etc.) within the global Internet,
  “.Africa” will embrace a horizontal perspective with
  a clear brand to reach and enrich the broad global
  community.
                                                                           • Africa
                    AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
Strengthening ccTLds/Regional TLDs
• Offering of second level domain names by cross
  marketing of domain names such as .za.africa;
  .co.ke.africa; .et.africa; ug.africa ; .ng.africa;
  .EAC, .COMESA

• Elevation of ccTLDs to Continental and Global
  Identity inherent in the Africa name

• Supporting goal of regional /continental integration
  of National countries (ccTLDs)

• “Noting else in the world…not all the armies in the
  world …is so powerful as an idea whose time has
  come”       and .africa is that idea & here to stay.
         Victor Hugo
                                                                              • Africa
                       AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
Who is DotConnectAfrica ?
The Mission

•   To sponsor, establish and operate a continental
    Internet namespace with global recognition and
    regional significance, dedicated to the needs of
    the Pan-African and African Internet community.

•   To operate a viable and technically advanced TLD
    registry for the Pan-Africa and African community.

•   To reinvest partial surpluses in socio-technological
    advancement initiatives relevant to the Pan-Africa
    and African Internet community; and

                                                                            • Africa
                     AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
Organizational Structure
Is to be made up of different sponsor organizations:

   • Sponsor Members
   • Co-sponsor Members
   • Businesses
   • Non-profit - NGOs
   • Other relevant community
     organizations in the region
                                                                           • Africa
                    AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
Interested Sponsor Members & Co-Sponsors

•   African Union (AU)
•   Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
•   African Development Bank (ADB)
•   Other Pan-African Organizations
•   African Private Sector Actors
•   African Non-Profits
•   African Internet Actors
•   National ICT Policy organs
                                                                         • Africa
                  AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
Organizational Structure, cont’d.
Members will make up of Board of Directors

•   The BOD will be advised on policy matters by an
    Advisory Council

•   AC will be populated by one representative from
    each co-Sponsor organization.

•   A proceeds Steering Committee (PROSCOM) will
    be created and appointed by the Board to
    oversee the allocation of surplus proceeds from
    registry operations.

                                                                           • Africa
                    AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
Governance & Representation of Community

•   The governance of the .Africa Organization is to be driven thru
    a multistakeholder representation and augmented by regional
    and international expertise.

•   Having direct and close involvement of many Governments,
    Businesses , NGO’s ensures a wealth of knowledge and expertise
    in the operational and policy management of a TLD registry in
    the Pan-Africa and Africa region.

•   Governance model is to be adapted from the Africa’s
    development policy model augmented with other geo –TLD
    names. The .Africa Organization intends to operate openly &
    transparently.

•   Public Policy consideration will include direct input from policy
    makers , therefore consulting with the AU/ECA/ADB on policy
    matters.                                                   • Africa
                           AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
DCA Governance Structure

  Key Pan                       Board of Directors
   African                                                                    CO-Sponsor
Sponsor Org                                                                    members
• AU                                           Chairman’s
• UNECA                                                                   • Businesses
                                                Advisory
• ADB                                                                     • Internet orgs
                                                Council
                                                                          • IT org,
                                                                          • Teleco
                                                                          • NGO
                                   CEO                                    • Non-profit,
                                                                          • Other relevant
                            Functional VPs                                  Africa-based
                                  Customer
                                                                            orgs
              Marketing &                             Admin
               Bus Dev             Support             Staff              • Governments



                                                                                     • Africa
                              AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
Achievments to date
• Introduction to Regional Key African organs, and
  Governments
• Endorsements by the African Union, Economic
  Commission for Africa (ECA) and 20% of African Govt
• Travel Across Africa campaigning, 8 African countries
  since February
• Established website with informative content showing
  progress and prototype
• Established Newsletter to communicate status/activities
• Established presence on social media sites, Twitter,
  Facebook , creating that “generation .africa”
• Mailing list of 600 & growing since February 2010
• Substantial Relevant African Media coverage
• Official Sponsors at ICANN 38 Brussels- The 1st African
  TLD to sponsor International conference; EAIGF Kampala
  Uganda; AITEC ICT Summit Nairobi                  • Africa
                      AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
Our promise of putting .africa
on the global digital map




                   Africa Leadership Retreat 2020 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
.africa - the first African
           TLD to be sponsored at an
           International European
           event – Brussels ICANN
           38


AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
Challenges!

• Political - continental project

• Adaption from existing gTlds, .com, .org
    • Branding
    • Cost
    • Access to internet
    • Good Infrastructure
    • Capacity building/training




                                                                            • Africa
                     AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
Challenges!
•   Other African groupings that have resisted our applications
•   A substantial misrepresentation of our initiative
    • PRIVATE SECTOR;
    • U.S BASED;
    • not an “ICANN” establishment;
    • belongs to “individual”
    • fake endorsement s

•   Not being invited to relevant internet community platforms to
    represent ourselves properly
•   Blocked from posting to relevant community forums so as not
    to share our work

•   GeoPolitics of African countries, which would want
    host/registry in own countries
•   Threaten our early endorsements
                                                                                 • Africa
                          AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
Why support the DCA initiative!
• Early applicants to the .Africa name to ICANN
• Early endorsements from the continental policy makers
• Early endorsements from other stakeholders
• Diaspora Africans who are committed to the continent
  bring transfer of knowledge & technology
• Multi-stakeholder governance model – Best Practice
• Non-Profit/Non-Partisan organization
    • (DCA is a TRUST registered in neutral country Mauritius

• Open/transparent initiative - over 15 Press Releases
  since February 2010 disclosing our activities.
• Inclusive cross marketing opportunity for ccTLDs
• Support new African based gTLDs
• Team committed to building “generation.africa”
• Team committed to branding Africa in positive light

                            AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org•   Africa
NEXT STEPS!
• Host country Identification in progress
• Registry selection in progress
• Awaiting for ICANN to issue the application
  of TLDs, mid March
• Assemble a Working group
  • Develop Ideas/discuss issues
  • Champions in each region –
     • 6 regions ( EAC, COMESA, IGAD, SADC,
       ECOWAS, CCAS)
     • Hold our ongoing policy discussion


                                                                        • Africa
                 AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
"yea" or "nay
yea" or "nay" on




           Internet Governance – The Policy Divide




          How many participants think “.africa” is a great idea?

                          "yea" or "nay"
                              AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
One Club Policy - Global policy




                             Your African Mobile Identity




                         Contact us at:
                         Support@dotconnectafrica.org


DotConnectAfrica.org
?

Dotafrica Presentation A I T E C 2010 Launch Of The Dotafrica Campaign Kenya

  • 1.
    .Africa The launch ofthe .africa East Africa Campaign 1bn people, 54 countries, 1domain By Sophia Bekele Executive Director DotConnectAfrica Former Policy Advisor, ICANN
  • 2.
    1. Themefor .Africa campaign 2. State of the African Internet usage 3. The vision of .africa domain 4. The need for Africa Specific Domain 5. Strengthening ccTLDs –impact of .africa domain 6. Who is DotConnectAfrica? 7. Organizational Structure 8. Governance Representation & Community 9. Achievements/Challenges 10. How do u get involved, aside from being a consumer? 11. Next Step for you! • Africa AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 3.
    Official launch ofthe dotafrica East Africa Campaign.: . Announce our three “ Yes” to a “.africa” campaign” . Announcing the progress we have made . Launch our New website . Ways to get the DCA vision at continental and global level. . Strengthen our governance structure by adding key stakeholders that has contribution power . Mobilization of African Thought Leaders . Publication of a research of the demand for ‘.africa’ name. . Road show and amplification of ”.africa” to ensure endorsement and scalability. . Raising Civil Society Awareness and submit the Manifest to public consultation. . Retreat in Mombasa March 2011, post application to ICANN. • Africa AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 4.
    My passion www.sophiabekele.com UNICT, UNGAID, UNECA, AU AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 5.
    Information Society to Internet Society Computer Science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes. - E.W. Dijkstra AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 6.
    Opportunities The global Economyis reforming • Affordable internet, phone, pc devises, prices, CapEx Vs. OpEx, NGN • Web 2.0 (social tipping point); Viral ; Cloud computing • where one has a convergence of 70% of the planet bring universal access and democracy of information • Interesting business models and consumer reach and increase in productivity expand knowledge , creation capacity, advances In science and health. AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 7.
    A Paradigm shift- Convergence Opportunities Internet use has exploded globally • more than 300% since 2000 • 1.4 million Internet users • 3.6 billion people use mobile telephony just over half of the world’s population This intersection – where users access the Internet from their mobile phones – maps a revolutionary digital paradigm shift AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 8.
    AITEC East AfricaICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 9.
    A Common Vision Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare. Japanese Proverb • Africa AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 10.
    aitec.africa paynet.africa mobilemoney.africa lagos.africa safaricom.africa tourism.africa Si.africa sunmicro.africa pesapal.africa misys.africa copycat.africa sevenseas.africa UnitedBank.africa visa.africa salamon.ug.africa safaricom.co.ke.africa COMESA.africa ecobank.africa citibank.africa Iveri.africab Renaissancecapital.africa webtribe.africa Cybercrime.africa allafrica.africa chamberofcommerce.africa KDN.africa wildlife.africa icann.africa banking.africa eac.africa microfinance.africa cooking.africa shoes.africa Intrepid Data.africa mobicash.africa USAID.afri gatesfoundation.afric dgi.africa.africa 2020 .africa GrameenFoundation.africa • Africa AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 11.
    Status of TLDs Thereare presently 21 gTLDs in the root zone There were eight that predate ICANN: .com .edu .gov .int .mil .net .org .arpa Seven were added in a round starting .aero .biz .coop .info .museum .name .pro . Post Six were added in a round starting in 2004 .asia .cat .jobs .mobi .tel .travel (soon to be added) Experience in past rounds has been factored into current new gTLD Panning ccTLDs are currently allocated per reference to the ISO3166-1 list (e.g. .cn for China, .gr for Greece) IDN ccTLDs being added via IDN ccTLD fast Track Process • Africa AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 12.
    Need for Africa-specificdomain • Currently, Internet users in the Pan-Africa and African region only have the option of utilizing a generic TLD (gTLD) whose registrants are dominated by US and European individuals and businesses, or country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) that are intended for local use • Current gTLDs also tend to focus on a vertical group (e.g. commercial entities, network providers, organizations , etc.) within the global Internet, “.Africa” will embrace a horizontal perspective with a clear brand to reach and enrich the broad global community. • Africa AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 13.
    Strengthening ccTLds/Regional TLDs •Offering of second level domain names by cross marketing of domain names such as .za.africa; .co.ke.africa; .et.africa; ug.africa ; .ng.africa; .EAC, .COMESA • Elevation of ccTLDs to Continental and Global Identity inherent in the Africa name • Supporting goal of regional /continental integration of National countries (ccTLDs) • “Noting else in the world…not all the armies in the world …is so powerful as an idea whose time has come” and .africa is that idea & here to stay. Victor Hugo • Africa AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 14.
    Who is DotConnectAfrica? The Mission • To sponsor, establish and operate a continental Internet namespace with global recognition and regional significance, dedicated to the needs of the Pan-African and African Internet community. • To operate a viable and technically advanced TLD registry for the Pan-Africa and African community. • To reinvest partial surpluses in socio-technological advancement initiatives relevant to the Pan-Africa and African Internet community; and • Africa AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 15.
    Organizational Structure Is tobe made up of different sponsor organizations: • Sponsor Members • Co-sponsor Members • Businesses • Non-profit - NGOs • Other relevant community organizations in the region • Africa AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 16.
    Interested Sponsor Members& Co-Sponsors • African Union (AU) • Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) • African Development Bank (ADB) • Other Pan-African Organizations • African Private Sector Actors • African Non-Profits • African Internet Actors • National ICT Policy organs • Africa AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 17.
    Organizational Structure, cont’d. Memberswill make up of Board of Directors • The BOD will be advised on policy matters by an Advisory Council • AC will be populated by one representative from each co-Sponsor organization. • A proceeds Steering Committee (PROSCOM) will be created and appointed by the Board to oversee the allocation of surplus proceeds from registry operations. • Africa AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 18.
    Governance & Representationof Community • The governance of the .Africa Organization is to be driven thru a multistakeholder representation and augmented by regional and international expertise. • Having direct and close involvement of many Governments, Businesses , NGO’s ensures a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the operational and policy management of a TLD registry in the Pan-Africa and Africa region. • Governance model is to be adapted from the Africa’s development policy model augmented with other geo –TLD names. The .Africa Organization intends to operate openly & transparently. • Public Policy consideration will include direct input from policy makers , therefore consulting with the AU/ECA/ADB on policy matters. • Africa AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 19.
    DCA Governance Structure Key Pan Board of Directors African CO-Sponsor Sponsor Org members • AU Chairman’s • UNECA • Businesses Advisory • ADB • Internet orgs Council • IT org, • Teleco • NGO CEO • Non-profit, • Other relevant Functional VPs Africa-based Customer orgs Marketing & Admin Bus Dev Support Staff • Governments • Africa AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 20.
    Achievments to date •Introduction to Regional Key African organs, and Governments • Endorsements by the African Union, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and 20% of African Govt • Travel Across Africa campaigning, 8 African countries since February • Established website with informative content showing progress and prototype • Established Newsletter to communicate status/activities • Established presence on social media sites, Twitter, Facebook , creating that “generation .africa” • Mailing list of 600 & growing since February 2010 • Substantial Relevant African Media coverage • Official Sponsors at ICANN 38 Brussels- The 1st African TLD to sponsor International conference; EAIGF Kampala Uganda; AITEC ICT Summit Nairobi • Africa AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 21.
    Our promise ofputting .africa on the global digital map Africa Leadership Retreat 2020 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 22.
    .africa - thefirst African TLD to be sponsored at an International European event – Brussels ICANN 38 AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 23.
    Challenges! • Political -continental project • Adaption from existing gTlds, .com, .org • Branding • Cost • Access to internet • Good Infrastructure • Capacity building/training • Africa AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 24.
    Challenges! • Other African groupings that have resisted our applications • A substantial misrepresentation of our initiative • PRIVATE SECTOR; • U.S BASED; • not an “ICANN” establishment; • belongs to “individual” • fake endorsement s • Not being invited to relevant internet community platforms to represent ourselves properly • Blocked from posting to relevant community forums so as not to share our work • GeoPolitics of African countries, which would want host/registry in own countries • Threaten our early endorsements • Africa AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 25.
    Why support theDCA initiative! • Early applicants to the .Africa name to ICANN • Early endorsements from the continental policy makers • Early endorsements from other stakeholders • Diaspora Africans who are committed to the continent bring transfer of knowledge & technology • Multi-stakeholder governance model – Best Practice • Non-Profit/Non-Partisan organization • (DCA is a TRUST registered in neutral country Mauritius • Open/transparent initiative - over 15 Press Releases since February 2010 disclosing our activities. • Inclusive cross marketing opportunity for ccTLDs • Support new African based gTLDs • Team committed to building “generation.africa” • Team committed to branding Africa in positive light AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org• Africa
  • 26.
    NEXT STEPS! • Hostcountry Identification in progress • Registry selection in progress • Awaiting for ICANN to issue the application of TLDs, mid March • Assemble a Working group • Develop Ideas/discuss issues • Champions in each region – • 6 regions ( EAC, COMESA, IGAD, SADC, ECOWAS, CCAS) • Hold our ongoing policy discussion • Africa AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 27.
    "yea" or "nay yea"or "nay" on Internet Governance – The Policy Divide How many participants think “.africa” is a great idea? "yea" or "nay" AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2 010 – www.dotconnectafrica.org
  • 28.
    One Club Policy- Global policy Your African Mobile Identity Contact us at: Support@dotconnectafrica.org DotConnectAfrica.org
  • 29.