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]].

 

In July 2013, the contentious application for .africa from DCA was deemed "incomplete" and failed Initial Evaluation on the grounds of not furnishing proper support to the geographic names panel. DCA acknowledged the failure and while it is not eligible for extended review, they promised to restore the application.<ref>[http://www.circleid.com/posts/20130705_update_on_initial_evaluation_result_for_africa_application/ Update on Initial Evaluation Result for Africa Application, CircleID.com] Published 5 July Retrieved 10 July 2013</ref>

 

===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.

===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> [[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">[Tilting at Windmills: Separating Fact from Fiction in the Joust for the New dotAfrica gTLD. Hurter, Eddie. 2015]</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==

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">[Tilting at Windmills: Separating Fact from Fiction in the Joust for the New dotAfrica gTLD. Hurter, Eddie. 2015] [[DotAfrica.Hurter.pdf]]</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>

Their mission and objective was outlined in their application and include:

Their mission and objective was outlined in their application and include:

===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 confirmed that the AUC 'welcomes' the initiative of DCA. <ref name="Tilting"></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===