Changes

{{TLD|

{{TLD|

|logo  =  

|logo  = DotAfricaLogoNew.png

|status = Proposed

|status = Delegated

|manager  =  

|manager  =ZACR

|country  = African region

|country  = African region

|stringcontention = Yes

|stringcontention =  

|registryprovider  =  

|registryprovider  =  

|date  =

|date  =15 Feb 2017

|type  = [[GeoTLD]]

|type  = [[GeoTLD]]

|community  =  

|community  =  

|priority = 307 - [[UniForum SA]]<br>1005 - [[DotConnectAfrica]]

|priority = 307 - [[UniForum SA]]

}}

}}

'''.africa''' is a proposed new [[gTLD]] for the promotion of African Identity (businesses, people and culture) on the Internet.  

'''.africa''' is a delegated new [[gTLD]] for the promotion of African Identity (businesses, people and culture) on the Internet. After many years of litigation, .africa was delegated to the Root Zone on February 17, 2017. <ref>[http://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/africa.html .AFRICA Delegation]. Retrieved 17 Feb 2017. </ref> The string will reach general availability 04 July 2017. <ref>[https://www.itnewsafrica.com/2017/03/icann-approves-dotafrica-launch-dates/ ICANN Approves Launch Dates]. Retrieved 31 Mar 2017.</ref>

There are two applicants vying for the TLD, although in the past there were rumors of several others. These entities are: [[DotConnectAfrica]] (DCA), a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization based in Nairobi, Kenya and incorporated in Mauritius, founded by [[Sophia Bekele]];<ref>[http://dotafrica.blogspot.com/p/dotafrica.html About DotAfrica]</ref> and [[Registry.Africa]], which is operated by [[UniForum SA]] and backed by the African Union, the [[AfTLD]], [[AfriNIC]], and others.<ref>[http://www.africainonespace.org africainonespace.org]</ref> Other organizations who have in the past publicly considered submitting applications are the [[AfTLD]] and [[ARC]].

 

===GAC Early Warnings & Response===

===GAC Early Warnings & Response===

DCA's bid for .africa recieved 17 [[GAC]] Early Warnings, which are noted as strong recommendations on behalf of national governments to the [[ICANN Board]] that a given application should be denied. [[UniForum SA]]'s [[Registry.Africa]] bid received no such warnings.

DCA's bid for .africa recieved 17 [[GAC]] Early Warnings, which are noted as strong recommendations on behalf of national governments to the [[ICANN Board]] that a given application should be denied. [[UniForum SA]]'s [[Registry.Africa]] bid received no such warnings.

On December 5th 2012, DCA, via its CEO [[Sophia Bekele]], responded to the [[GAC]] Early warnings as recommended by ICANN remediation procedure. It was presumably sent not only to each objecting GAC member but the the [[ICANN Board]] as well. The letter addresses each aspect of the original warnings and its number of points include:

On December 5th 2012, DCA, via its CEO [[Sophia Bekele]], responded to the [[GAC]] Early warnings as recommended by ICANN remediation procedure. It was presumably sent not only to each objecting GAC member but the the [[ICANN Board]] as well. The letter addresses each aspect of the original warnings and its number of points include:

===GAC Objection===

===GAC Objection===

The DCA bid for .africa was only one of two strings that received a unanimous [[GAC]] Objection, the other being [[.gcc]]. The objection is intended to be a very strong recommendation that the [[ICANN Board]] should not allow an application to be approved.<ref>[https://gacweb.icann.org/display/gacweb/Governmental+Advisory+Committee GAC Beijing Communique Download from, GACweb.ICANN.org] Retrieved 30 May 2013</ref> DCA implored the ICANN Board to not consider the GAC Advice and presented their case against the other applicant, UniForum, and the process by which the African Union selected them; their full response can be found [http://newgtlds.icann.org/sites/default/files/applicants/23may13/gac-advice-response-1-1165-42560-en.pdf?utm_source=DotConnectAfrica+Update%3A+Status+of+our+gTLD+Application+%26+Current+Engagements+wi&utm_campaign=DotConnectAfrica+Update%3A+Status+of++our+new+gTLD+Application+%26+Current+Engagements+with+the+U.S.Congress&utm_medium=archive here].

The DCA bid for .africa was only one of two strings that received a unanimous [[GAC]] Objection, the other being [[.gcc]]. The objection is intended to be a very strong recommendation that the [[ICANN Board]] should not allow an application to be approved.<ref>[https://gacweb.icann.org/display/gacweb/Governmental+Advisory+Committee GAC Beijing Communique Download from, GACweb.ICANN.org] Retrieved 30 May 2013</ref> [[ICANN]]'s New gTLD Committee ([[NGPC]]) issued the [[Beijing Communique]] in response to the [[GAC]]'s early warning, supporting its advice to deny DCA's application. DCA then received an official notification from [[ICANN]] that their application was 'not approved'.<ref name="Tilting Windmills" /> DCA implored the ICANN Board to not consider the GAC Advice and presented their case against the other applicant, UniForum, and the process by which the African Union selected them; their full response can be found [http://newgtlds.icann.org/sites/default/files/applicants/23may13/gac-advice-response-1-1165-42560-en.pdf?utm_source=DotConnectAfrica+Update%3A+Status+of+our+gTLD+Application+%26+Current+Engagements+wi&utm_campaign=DotConnectAfrica+Update%3A+Status+of++our+new+gTLD+Application+%26+Current+Engagements+with+the+U.S.Congress&utm_medium=archive here].

==Background==

==Background==

==Registry.Africa (UniForum SA) Bid==

==Registry.Africa (UniForum SA) Bid==

In February 2012, the African Union Commission (AUC) announced that it had chosen [[UniForum SA]], registry operator for [[.za]], as the registry operator for its .africa application in conjunction with [[AfTLD]] after an RFP in December 2011.<ref>[http://mybroadband.co.za/news/internet/44077-uniforum-sa-to-administer-africa-domain.html UniForum SA to administer .africa domain, mybroadband.co.za]</ref> Later that month, it was announced that [[Sedari]] would assist in supporting the application with its financial, technical and policy support services.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/sedari-working-on-africa-gtld-bid/ Sedari working on .africa gTLD bid, domainincite.com]</ref> In response to these announcements, DCA issued a [http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1109462804750.html press release] accusing the AU's selection of UniForum SA to be in bad faith, and that the AU's power to select a back-end registry operator for the .africa TLD is illegitimate.<ref>[http://aptantech.com/2012/03/dca-challenges-africa-union-on-full-disclosure-over-dotafrica-gtld-matters/ DCA challenges Africa Union on full disclosure over (dot)Africa gTLD matters, aptantech.com]</ref>

On April 4th, 2012, [[Dr. Elham M. A. Ibrahim]], the Commissioner of Infrastructure and Energy of the African Union informed Uniforum SA, trading as ZA Central Registry (ZACR) of its official appointment as the "Official Applicant and Registry Operator for [[dotAfrica]] [[gTLD]]. [[UniForum SA]]/[[ZACR]] submitted all application materials to [[ICANN]] on June 13, 2012.<ref name="Tilting Windmills">http://icannwiki.com/images/3/37/DotAfrica.Hurter.pdf</ref>

 

 

* creating a [[gTLD]] that marks Africa's online identity, and reflects the continent's rich diversity and potential

* positioning the [[dotAfrica]] [[gTLD]] as the preferred option for citizens and business located in Africa or strongly associated with the continent

* emphasizing that the new [[gTLD]] would be "by Africa, for Africa"

UniForum SA, supported by the AUC, [[AfTLD]], [[AfriNIC]], and other organizations, applied for .africa under the company [[Registry.Africa]].<ref>[http://africainonespace.org/members.php?id=2&title=STEERING%20COMMITTEE Registry.Africa Steering Committee]</ref> It has the support of over 39 individual African governments.<ref>[https://gacweb.icann.org/download/attachments/22938690/Africa-AUC-42560.pdf?version=1&modificationDate=1353382039000 Africa AUC, GACweb.ICANN.org] Retrieved 24 November 2012]</ref>

[[ZACR]]'s application succeeded its initial step toward the [[dotAfrica]] [[gTLD]]. [[ICANN]] and [[ZACR]] completed the official [[dotAfrica]] [[gTLD]] Registry Agreement at the [[ICANN 49 - Singapore]] meeting, March 24th, 2014.

==DotConnectAfrica Bid==

==DotConnectAfrica Bid==

===AUC Letter of Endorsement to DCA's DotAfrica Project===

===AUC Letter of Endorsement to DCA's DotAfrica Project===

On August 27, 2009, the African Union Commission (AUC) expressed its support for DCA's DotAfrica Project, also expressing a willingness to provide assistance in the coordination of the initiative with the African Ministers and Governments. The letter was signed by AUC Chairman Jean Ping.<ref>[http://www.scribd.com/doc/31565131/African-Union-AU-Endorsement-of-DotConnectAfrica#fullscreen:on African Union Commission Letter, Subject: Endorsement of the Dot Africa (.africa) Initiative]</ref> In addition, during the 2009 African Union conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, the AU Ministers expressed their support of the .africa proposal and acknowledged its possible benefits for the development of the Internet within the African continent. This was based on the proposal submitted to the AU by DCA during the previous years. The Ministers adopted a resolution to establish .africa as a continental TLD for use by organizations, businesses and individuals with guidance from African Internet agencies.<ref>[http://www.nepad.org/system/files/Background%20note%20%20on%20DotAfrica%20-Final%20version%20ENG.pdf African Union Briefing Note on .Africa]</ref>.

On August 27, 2009, the African Union Commission (AUC) expressed its support for DCA's DotAfrica Project, also expressing a willingness to provide assistance in the coordination of the initiative with the African Ministers and Governments. The letter was signed by AUC Chairman confirmed that the AUC 'welcomes' the initiative of DCA. <ref name="Tilting Windmills" />In addition, during the 2009 African Union conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, the AU Ministers expressed their support of the .africa proposal and acknowledged its possible benefits for the development of the Internet within the African continent. This was based on the proposal submitted to the AU by DCA during the previous years. The Ministers adopted a resolution to establish .africa as a continental TLD for use by organizations, businesses and individuals with guidance from African Internet agencies.<ref>[http://www.nepad.org/system/files/Background%20note%20%20on%20DotAfrica%20-Final%20version%20ENG.pdf African Union Briefing Note on .Africa]</ref>.

===AUC's interest in DotAfrica===

===AUC's interest in DotAfrica===

==References==

==References==

{{reflist}}

{{reflist}}</div>

[[Category:TLD]]

[[Category:TLD]]

[[Category:GeoTLD|africa]]

[[Category:GeoTLD|africa]]