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| [[Image:UnderConstruction.png]] | | '''DotAfrica''' may refer to: |
| | * [[.africa]], a proposed [[New gTLD Program|New gTLD]] |
| | * [[DotAfrica.org]]/[[DotAfrica Organization]], a technical forum for the discussion of the .africa TLD. |
| | * [[Registry.Africa]], a subsidiary of [[UniForum SA]] the AU-backed bid for .africa. |
| | * [[DotConnectAfrica]], another applicant for .africa. |
| | * [[.dotafrica]], a applied-for string by [[DotConnectAfrica]] that was later announced to be a mistake. |
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| '''DotAfrica''' is one of the proposed generic top level domain names ([[gTLD]]s) by several African organizations to included in the Domain Name System ([[DNS]]) to promote the African Identity (businesses, people and culture) of the region in the internet. During the 2009 the African Union conference at Johannesburg, the Ministers expressed their support on the DotAfrica proposal and acknowledged its possible benefits for the development of the Internet within the African continent . The AU Ministers adopted a resolution to ""Establish dot Africa as a continental Top-Level Domain for use by organizations, businesses and individuals with guidance from African Internet agencies".
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| <ref>[http://www.nepad.org/system/files/Background%20note%20%20on%20DotAfrica%20-Final%20version%20ENG.pdf African Union Briefing Note on .Africa]</ref> In addition, the African Union was mandated by its Member States to establish cooperation and partnerships with internet stakeholders as well as in the preparation and submission of an application for DotAfrica as new gTLD to the [[ICANN|Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers]].<ref>[http://www.africandiplomacy.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=308%3Adotafrica-a-specific-internet-namespace-for-africa&catid=139%3Ascience-et-technology&Itemid=90&lang=en DOTAFRICA - A specific internet namespace for Africa]</ref>
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| ==Background==
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| The DotAfrica was first proposed by non-African companies during ICANN's first round of application to implement new gTLDs in 2000, however the application was strongly opposed by some African professionals. They perceived that the application was not beneficial for the African continent. Subsequently in 2002, those professionals who oppose the application started to develop a draft for the operational model for DotAfrica which will be managed by Africans.<ref>[http://www.nepad.org/system/files/Background%20note%20%20on%20DotAfrica%20-Final%20version%20ENG.pdf African Union Briefing Note on .Africa]</ref> Since then, some African entities has been interested in the implementation of DotAfrica as a new gTLD. These entities include [[Dot Connect Africa]] (DCA), a Mauritius based not for profit, not partisan organization founded by [[Sophia Bekele]] and the Africa Top Level Domain ([[AfTLD]]) Organization, a non-profit organization also established in Mauritius headed by [[Vika Mpisane]].
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| ==DCA Bid for DotAfrica==
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| In 2006, Sophia Bekele, initiated the proposal to develop the DotAfrica gTLD through her non-profit organization DCA, which will serve as the sponsor and registry operator. She first presented her proposal to the African Members of the [[ICANN Board]] as well as to African members of the different groups within the ICANN community in Lisbon. In her presentation, Bekele emphasized the need and significance of the DotAfrica domain name to reach and enrich the global internet community. She pointed out that DotAfrica will enable users to express their membership in a larger Pan African and African community, allow Africa to take its rightful place alongside [[.Asia]] and [[.eu|EU]].In addition Bekele cited that the DotAfrica proposal complies with the objectives of the [[WSIS]] to empower developing countries using ICT as well as to the policies of the African Union, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Africa Drive Project (ADP) for the development of the continent.<ref>[http://www.slideshare.net/Nyosef/dotafrica .Africa's Map in the Digital Inclusion: A Common Voice for Africa By Sophia Bekele]</ref>
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| Since then, Bekele actively campaigned for the .Africa proposal among African organizations and communities in the region. In 2008, Bekele announced DCA's DotAfrica initiative during the public forum at the ICANN Paris Meeting.<ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/2008/06/22-june-2008-paris-icann-dot-africa-initiative-announced-icann-paris-meeting/ 22 June 2008 – Paris ICANN: DotAfrica Initiative announced at ICANN Paris meeting!]</ref>
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| ===AUA Letter of Endorsement to DCA DotAfrica Project===
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| On August 27, 2009, the African Union Authority (AUA) expressed its support to the DotAfrica Project of DCA and its willingness to provide assistance to coordinate the initiative with the African Ministers and Governments. Furthermore, the AUA also endorsed the DCA initiative. The letter was signed by AUA 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>
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| Surprisingly on May 12, 2011, the African Union Commission (AUC) turned their back on the endorsement made by AUA Chairman Jean Ping to DCA. The The AUC clarified that African Union Ministers in Charge of Communication and information Technologies during the Member States meeting decided to allow competition among organizations interested in sponsoring and operating the proposed .Africa gTLD. The AUC pointed out that it is not supporting or endorsing any individual or organization.In addition, the AUC announced that entities must submit their Expressions Of Interest (EOI), which will become the basis of their selection and endorsement. <ref>[http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102516344150-107/Communique_Statement_by_AUC_on_Dot_Africa_May_10th__AO+MY_+BK_Comments%5b1%5d.pdf COMMUNIQUE: The Africa Union Commission Clarification on Dot Africa]</ref>
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| ===DCA Reaction to African Union EOI===
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| ==References==
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| {{reflist}}
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| [[Category:Glossary]] | |
