ICANN and Its Role

For those unfamiliar, ICANN plays a crucial role in managing the DNS, which is essential to how the Internet functions. They ensure that domain names, IP addresses and top-level domains (TLDs) work together securely and efficiently. Without ICANN’s oversight, the Internet as we know it wouldn’t function as smoothly. Any changes or expansions they propose can directly shape the future of the online world, especially in underserved regions like Africa.

The Focus on Africa: Opportunities and Challenges

One of the key points raised was Africa’s underwhelming participation in the last round of gTLD applications back in 2012. Out of 1930 applications globally, only 17 came from Africa, most of which were from South Africa. This imbalance was flagged as a serious issue. ICANN officials, including Pierre Dandjinou, Vice President of Stakeholder Engagement for the Africa region, emphasized the importance of empowering African nations to transition from being mere consumers of the Internet to becoming producers, capable of shaping the future of their digital economies and improving global representation.

Understanding the Top-Level Domains (TLDs)

ICANN’s Senior Director of ngTLD Program, Bob Ochieng, provided an overview of the different categories of domain names:

• ccTLDs (Country-Code Top-Level Domains): These are two-letter domains like .mu for Mauritius or .ke for Kenya.
• gTLDs (Generic Top-Level Domains): Domains such as .com, .org or .info fall under this category. In the last round of applications, the number of gTLDs grew from 22 to over 1200.
• IDNs (Internationalized Domain Names): These can be either ccTLDs or gTLDs and use non-Latin scripts, allowing domain names to be written in languages like Arabic, Chinese and Japanese. For example, правительство.рф translates to government.ru.

Bob highlighted some challenges with new gTLDs. Domains like .africa or .capetown, while relevant, might face technical issues. For instance, longer domain names sometimes face issues in email deliverability, where emails can get dropped along the way.

Applying for a gTLD

Applying for a gTLD means taking on the responsibility of operating a domain registry, which involves significant technical and operational tasks. If you don’t have the technical capabilities to operate a gTLD registry, you can partner with an accredited Registry Service Provider (RSP) for a fee. RSPs offer the necessary infrastructure and expertise to manage the technical and operational aspects of running a gTLD.

Even if you have the technical capacity to manage a gTLD, you need to be accredited by ICANN to ensure that you meet the same high standards as all other operators. This accreditation process is crucial for maintaining uniformity and reliability across the global domain name system.

Managing a gTLD is a significant responsibility with substantial costs. For example, if a ccTLD like .mu goes down, it affects all users relying on that domain, from businesses to individuals. The same risk applies to gTLDs, making the role of a registry operator crucial and costly. This example underscores the high stakes involved in operating a TLD. This makes the domain system essential not just for personal or business use but for the national economy.

Why Should This Matter?

While .com is the dominant domain in North America, ccTLDs are more prevalent in other regions like Europe, Asia and Africa. In Africa, the market has grown to 7 million domain names in 2022. Compare that to around 20 million in China and you see the vast opportunity Africa has to improve.

Encouraging more African countries to participate in gTLDs is about more than just building Internet infrastructure—it’s about generating new revenue streams, asserting control over local digital policies and enhancing credibility in the global digital space. As Bob highlighted, gTLDs offer developing nations the potential to elevate their digital sovereignty and create monetization opportunities.

The Applicant Support Program – Making gTLDs Accessible

One of the standout issues from the 2012 round was the high cost of applying for a gTLD, with application fees set at $185,000 (Note that the application fees for the next round of new gTLDs is expected to be to be around $220,000). This posed a significant barrier for many organizations, especially in developing economies. To address this, the Applicant Support Program was enhanced to make applying for a gTLD more accessible to nonprofits, indigenous organizations, micro and small businesses and others who need financial assistance. Here’s how it works:

• Eligibility Criteria: Applicants need to meet certain criteria, including financial need and viability.
• Commitment Fee: The $1,500 commitment fee helps ensure that applicants are serious about their application.
• Successful applicants under the program receive an 85% reduction in the application fee.

The program offers financial support making the process more accessible to smaller players.

What Happens Next?

Looking forward, there are some key dates to keep in mind:

• November 19, 2024 – November 19, 2025: The application window for the Applicant Support Program will be open. You can apply to receive support without disclosing the specific domain name you’re applying for, maintaining confidentiality.
• May 2025: The Applicant Guidebook will be released, outlining the rules and requirements.
• April 2026: General applications for gTLDs will be accepted.

This new round of gTLDs will open up the possibility for more inclusive domain names, providing opportunities for groups to create their own space online.

More information can be found at https://newgtldprogram.icann.org/en.

Final Thoughts

ICANN’s focus on global diversity and support for underserved regions is crucial for making the Internet more inclusive and representative.

For Mauritius and Africa, this initiative transcends domain names—it represents digital sovereignty and the chance to create opportunities for local communities. We are not just passive users of the Internet but have the potential to be active contributors to the global digital economy.

Let’s seize this opportunity to drive forward a more diverse, inclusive and locally-driven Internet landscape.

Thank you, merci, and mersi to the organizers of the Africa Internet Summit #AIS24, @AfNOGWorkshops, for a rewarding week in Mauritius.
We appreciate everyone’s participation as we continue working toward building a more diverse and inclusive African Internet ecosystem. #ICANN pic.twitter.com/b3MqtcalvS

— ICANN (@ICANN) September 13, 2024

Blog post by Keelan Cannoo, core member of cyberstorm.mu