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DotAfrica
- 1. .Africa By Sophia Bekele Policy Advisor ICANN , Top Level Domain Name Generic Names Sponsoring Org. Africa Group - ICANN Lisbon
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- 3. Content 1. The InternetCorporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) 2. The .Africa Organization 3. Organizational Structure 4. Recommended Sponsoring Organization 5. Governance Structure 6. Interested sponsors 7. Next Step • Africa
- 4. The Internet Corporationfor Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) A nonprofit organization that manages and coordinates the Domain Name System. ICANN focuses on preserving the stability of the Internet; promoting competition; achieving broad representation of global Internet communities; and developing policy through bottom-up, consensus-based processes. • Africa
- 5. ICANN current organzationchat • Africa
- 6. Need for anAfrica-specific regional 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
- 7. Need for anAfrica-specific regional domain, cont’d • Unlike ccTLDs, which provide for a local audience, “.Africa” will allow the user to express membership in the larger Pan African and African community. • “.Africa” domain will also allow Africa to take its rightful place alongside .EU, .ASIA and .LAC • Also it complies with WSIS objectives on empowering undeveloped countries using ICT, IOW it fits as an ICT4D projects. • “.Africa” complies with AU, UNECA and ADP policy of development for the continent. • Africa
- 8. The DotConnecAfrica Organization • DotConnectAfrica Organization is to be the Sponsoring Organization and Registry Operator for the .Africa sponsored Generic Top Level Domain. • DotConnectAfrica is to be a not-for-profit, community- based organization incorporated in Africa. • DotConnectAfrica is to develop into a global force in the international commercial, political and cultural network. • The .Africa domain aspires to embrace this dynamism in the African Century to become a nucleus, intersection and breeding ground for Internet activity and development in the region • Africa
- 9. 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 reinvest surpluses in socio-technological advancement initiatives relevant to the Pan-Africa and African Internet community; and • To operate a viable not-for-profit initiative that is a technically advanced, TLD registry for the Pan- Africa and African community. • Africa
- 10. Organizational Structure Is anot-for-profit organization made up of different sponsor organizations: • Sponsor Members • Co-sponsor Members • Businesses • Non-profit - NGOs • Other relevant community organizations in the region • Africa
- 11. 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
- 12. Governance & Representationof Community • The governance of the .Africa Organization is to be driven thru a multistakeholder society and augmented by regional expertise. • As a membership-based organization, the direct and close involvement of many Government, 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. • Representation in governance from successful African Internet and Information Technology groups provides broad representation and relevance from the Pan-African regions • The .Africa Organization intends to operate openly & transparently. Governance model is to be adapted from the Africa’s development policy model augmented with other geo names. • Public Policy consideration will include direct input from policy makers , therefore consulting with the AU/ECA/ADB on policy matters. • Africa
- 13. Governance Structure Key Pan Board of Directors African Sponsor Org CO-Sponsor • AU Chairman’s members • UNECA Advisory y • ADB Businesses Council • Internet orgs, • IT org, • Teleco • NGO, CEO • Non-profit, Functional VPs • Other relevant Africa-based Marketing & Customer Admin Support orgs Bus Dev Staff Etc.. • Africa
- 14. Interested Sponsors ofDot.Africa • African Union (AU) • Economic Commission for Africa • African Development Bank • African Internet Actors • Individual ccTLDs • National ICT Policy organs • African Private Sector Actors • African Non-Profits • Other Pan-African Organizations • Africa
- 15. NEXT STEPS 1. Completethe governance structure for .Africa, under the proposed sponsoring Organization , and consisting of selected interested organizations that could assist and benefit Africa, CEO, CTO, Treasurer. 2 . Finalize a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between parties involved in #1 as to roles & responsibilities. 3. Consortium agreement with organizations that are to be involved 4. Develop terms of reference for the SELECTED registry operator • Africa
- 16. • Africa www.dotconectafrica.org Thank you for your attention! The Road Map to Africa