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                     <li> Kim Gueho, Trust Fund Manager</li></ul>
                     <li> Kim Gueho, Trust Fund Manager</li></ul>
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The '''Yes2dotAfrica''' Campaign is part of the trust program of DotConnectAfrica's (DCA) established in 2007, as an on-going effort to create awareness of the benefits of a dotAfrica gTLD internet domain name and do a public outreach. 


The Yes2dotafrica campaign is the first ever internet based multilingual (English, French, Arabic) social media based outreach platform implemented at the time.  It used Facebook and Twitter platforms initially and then started to gained recognitions over mainstream media, as the campaign started on its road shows in different countries in Africa.
The '''Yes2dotAfrica''' is part of the Trust program of DotConnectAfrica's (DCA) established in 2007, as an on-going effort to create awareness of the benefits of a dotAfrica gTLD internet domain name and do a public outreach.  
[[File:Multilingual_dotafrica.jpg‎|left|upright|[[Multilingual Yes2dotAfrica Campaign]]]]
Other trust programs identified by DCA include Miss.africa, Generation.africa and driving the capacity of the African ccTLDs. The Yes2dotAfrica campaign has received a huge amount of positive  media coverage.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11041902-brains-behind-africa-reports-diplomat-eastafrica-profiling-bekeles-work.html "Brains behind .africa" reports Diplomat EastAfrica, profiling Bekele's work]</ref>


Yes2dotafrica campaign has gained recognition and been given credence as a platform for advocacy of the benefits of DotAfrica gTLD and technology transfer. DCA has been invited to share its knowledge and experiences at major Universities in the U.S, Heads of States forums in Africa, United Nations and other large economic forums in US and Europe and globally, including Web 2.0, TV & Radio programs, IGF and ICANN forums, allowing it to become a highly visible applicant and advocate for the African gTLD. DCA will continue to use the Yes2DotAfrica campaign to promote the DotAfrica.
Other Trust programs identified by DCA include Miss.africa, Generation.africa and driving the capacity of the African ccTLDs.
The Yes2dotafrica campaign is a multi-lingual advocacy campaign that was set up as part of the trust program of DotConnectAfrica's (DCA) established in 2007 and has gained global recognition and been given credence as a platform for advocacy of the benefits of DotAfrica gTLD and technology transfer to Africa.  As a result, the campaign has received a huge amount of positive feedback and global media coverage since its inception<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11041902-brains-behind-africa-reports-diplomat-eastafrica-profiling-bekeles-work.html "Brains behind .africa" reports Diplomat EastAfrica, profiling Bekele's work]</ref> 
   
DCA has been invited to share its knowledge and experiences at major Universities in the U.S<ref>[http://www.ggu.edu/events/display/retrieve_event.do?id=1080 Golden Gate University]</ref> 
<ref>[http://www.slideshare.net/cbsintl/uc-sacramento-economic-address-public-1277605 Economic Address - African Leadership Council - UC Sacramento]</ref> 
, Heads of States forums in Africa<ref>[http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/CDS/gq/generic/search/display.asp?ProjectID=63&Quest=646 Connect Africa Summit]</ref> , United Nations and other large economic forums in US and Europe and globally<ref>[http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/un/unpan034868.pdfl E-Government & Public Private Partnerships, United Nations (UNPAN), Geneva]</ref>, including Web 2.0<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11631681-start-up-success-san-francisco-web-20-meets-yes2dotafrica.html Startup Success, San Francisco, Web 2.0, Conference]</ref>, TV & Radio programs, IGF and ICANN forums, allowing it to become a highly visible applicant and advocate for the African gTLD. DCA plans to continue to use the Yes2DotAfrica campaign to promote the DotAfrica domain.  


Yes2dotafrica has received a very high number of global media coverage throughout its campaign and has been featured on Bloomberg TV Africa program,<ref>[http://www.bloombergtvafrica.com/video/african-women-to-watch-26102013/ "African Women to Watch" - Sophia Bekele on Bloomberg TV"]</ref>
==First Multilingual Social Media based Campaign==
CNN discussion of "Yes2dotAfrica" campaign in Dakar Senegal,<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/07/tech/africa-domain-name/ Scramble for 'dot africa' internet domain name]</ref> Africa 7 TV Channel in Senegal<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUAtpDEzeoE Africa 7's Zara DERIBE in a conversation with Sophia Bekele on DotAfrica and being a Woman-In-Charge]</ref> and Nation Television (NTV) on "doing Business in Africa", <ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Smd6Sxp6h6U Nations TV calls Sophia Bekele on business in Africa + the new Domain for Africa]</ref> as well as Kenya's leading TV station  K24's Capital Talk "Movers and Shakers of Africa" <ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfjOAtv-fMs Capital Talk, Movers and Shakers of Africa]</ref> KASS Media International,<ref>[http://dotafrica.podomatic.com/entry/2011-03-21T20_58_04-07_00 KASS Media International on her international work by CBS International and DCA activities]</ref> Radio Netherland<ref>[http://www.rnw.nl/africa/radioshow/mobile-banking-africa%E2%80%99s-next-revolution Africa in Progress - Mobile banking: Africa’s next revolution]</ref> and a DotAfrica generation soon to be born<ref>[http://www.rnw.nl/africa/article/a-dotafrica-generation-soon-be-born A DotAfrica generation soon to be born]</ref> as well as Startup Success Radio in the US
The Yes2dotAfrica campaign is the first ever multilingual (English, French, Arabic) social media based outreach platform implemented at the time.  It used Facebook and Twitter platforms and numerous other Social media platforms in these languages to create the awareness and advocacy for the .africa domain. The successful social media outreach in combination with road shows in major African countries allowed it to  gain recognition over mainstream media.<ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1107603285696.html Join our "Yes2dotAfrica" campaign,]</ref>
[[File:Yes2dotafrica_campaign_dakar.jpg‎|right|upright|[[Yes2dotAfrica Campaign]]]]
[[File:Multilingual_dotafrica.jpg‎|right|upright|[[Multilingual Yes2dotAfrica Campaign]]]]
==Launch of Yes2dotafrica campaign==
The Yes2dotAfrica campaign was first launched in East Africa during the 2010 AITEC East Africa ICT Summit held from 7-8 September 2010 in Nairobi, Kenya. The initiative is meant to give Africa a regional identity and global presence. Sophia Bekele, executive director, DotConnectAfrica made the announcement during the summit in her Keynote speech, in the presence of hundreds who attended and a panel of  other advisory board and interests discussants.<ref>[http://www.aganoconsulting.com/main/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/Programme-East-African-ICT-Summit-NEW1.pdf "Lead speaker Sophia Bekele at the "Launch of the Dot Africa East African campaign"- AITEC EAst Africa Summit]</ref> <ref>[http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/410/16/52038.html Dot Africa campaign to brand continent]</ref><ref>[http://www.rnw.nl/africa/article/a-dotafrica-generation-soon-be-born A DotAfrica generation soon to be born]</ref> <ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11041902-brains-behind-africa-reports-diplomat-eastafrica-profiling-bekeles-work.html "Brains behind .africa" reports Diplomat EastAfrica, profiling Bekele's work]</ref><ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/yes-campaign/join-campaign/ Yes Campaign]</ref>
 
==Global Campaign Outreach, Advocacy and Sponsorships==
The first African TLD to sponsor an ICANN Events Notably in Brussels in 2008<ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/yes-campaign/join-campaign/ Yes Campaign]</ref> and in Dakar, Senegal in 2011.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11673176-dotconnectafrica-icann-42-dakar-meet-the-yes2dotafrica-campaign-in-senegal.html ICANN 42 Dakar: Meet the Yes2dotAfrica Campaign in Senegal!]</ref> Since, the Yes2dotAfrica campaign has mounted a global campaign that has also been featured in the media widely and also invited to the global forums and universities. This was a major advocacy avenue for the benefits of the campaign and how it would bring significant initiative to empower the Youth,and women to initiate ground breaking innovations and leadership roles to catalyze internet growth in Africa.


== Launch of Yes2dotafrica campaign==
==Early Recorded Championship of Yes2dotAfrica campaign==
'Yes 2africa' campaign was first launched in East Africa during the 2010 AITEC East Africa ICT Summit held from 7-8 September 2010 in Nairobi, Kenya. The initiative is meant to give Africa a regional identity and global presence. Sophia Bekele, executive director, DotConnectAfrica made the announcement during the summit in her Keynote speech .<ref>[http://www.aganoconsulting.com/main/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/Programme-East-African-ICT-Summit-NEW1.pdf "Lead speaker Sophia Bekele at the "Launch of the Dot Africa East African campaign"- AITEC EAst Africa Summit]</ref> <ref>[http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/410/16/52038.html Dot Africa campaign to brand continent]</ref><ref>[http://www.rnw.nl/africa/article/a-dotafrica-generation-soon-be-born A DotAfrica generation soon to be born]</ref> <ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11041902-brains-behind-africa-reports-diplomat-eastafrica-profiling-bekeles-work.html "Brains behind .africa" reports Diplomat EastAfrica, profiling Bekele's work]</ref><ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/yes-campaign/join-campaign/ Yes Campaign]</ref>  
DCA through the Yes2dotAfrica  campaign has been an active supporter of the ICANN new gTLD process, and is a global stakeholder in actively promoting and campaigning for the introduction of the new gTLDs and Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs). The “generation.africa” thus is an established a theme, to empower the youth to adapt the powers of the internet and its use, thus enjoying a great following thus far. Some of the early recorded activities to champion the campaign include:
[[File:United Domains Dotafrica.jpg|left|upright|[[United Domains DotAfrica New gTLD]]]]
===Yes2dotAfrica Campaign Triumphs at ICANN 42 Dakar=== 
DotConnectAfrica (DCA) was one of the principal participants and silver-level sponsor of the ICANN-42 international gathering, and was involved in various activities that took place throughout the week-long meeting in Dakar. DCA also mounted a well-attended exhibition on DotAfrica, and its Yes2DotAfrica campaign, which was visited by the Senegalese President and Head of State, H.E. Monsieur Abdoulaye Wade, and the Senegalese Minister for Telecommunications and Information/Communications Technologies, Monsieur Moustapha Guirassy. ICANN-42 was a great opportunity to focus positive attentions on DCA's Yes2DotAfrica Campaign, and we are pleased to present a summary of the main activities and important accomplishments for the benefit of our Pan-African constituency. <ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1108602153904.html Yes2dotAfrica Campaign Triumphs at ICANN 42 Dakar]</ref>  


Yes2dotAfrica campaign also participated in several ICANN meetings such as the March 2011,ICANN 40 San Francisco, CA also home to DCA, where ".africa" was first initiated as an African Diaspora project. <ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11385309-yes2dotafrica-campaign-successful-at-icann-40-in-san-francisco-ca.html Yes2dotAfrica Campaign successful at ICANN 40 in San Francisco, CA]</ref>
===Yes2dotAfrica successful at ICANN 40 in San Francisco, California===
The Yes2dotAfrica campaign also participated in several ICANN meetings such as the March 2011, ICANN 40 San Francisco, California also home to DCA, where ".africa" was first initiated as an African Diaspora project. The vision of a 'New African generation' was born here.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11385309-yes2dotafrica-campaign-successful-at-icann-40-in-san-francisco-ca.html Yes2dotAfrica Campaign successful at ICANN 40 in San Francisco, CA]</ref>


== Trust Programs ==
===Progress towards a ".africa" at ICANN 38, in Brussels the Capital of Europe===
Aside from the "Yes2dotAfrica campaign" Trust program, which has been widely successful, DCA has already undertaken initiatives under its Trust program which include the following:
Brussels ICANN no. 38 held in June 2010 was a success for DotConnectAfrica as sponsor & presenting Africa's common position. In the forum was also expected that dotafrica will provide African languages with the same opportunities and allow the benefits of initiatives such as Yes2dotAfrica campaign to flourish.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/10803421-progress-towards-africa-at-icann-38-in-brussels-the-capital-of-europe.html Progress towards a ".africa" at ICANN 38, in Brussels the Capital of Europe]</ref>
==Trust Programs==
Aside from the "Yes2dotAfrica campaign" Trust program, which has been widely successful, DCA has already undertaken initiatives under its Trust program which include the following:  


===Miss.africa:===
===Miss.africa:===
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Generation.africa is a youth focused program launched by DCA to empower a new generation of Internet users in Africa using its generation.africa theme. It is intended to target different youth audiences and encourage them to be involved in discussions that define and increase their common stake-holding in the development and evolution of the Internet and how this affects them. e.g<ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/yes-campaign/generation-africa generation.africa]</ref><ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11681274-generationafrica-on-their-high-at-the-6th-igf-held-in-nairobi-kenya.html Generation.africa On their High at IGF Kenya]</ref><ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1105302100111.html Generation.africa hailed "Yes2dotAfrica" at DCA's Headquarters in Mauritius]</ref>
Generation.africa is a youth focused program launched by DCA to empower a new generation of Internet users in Africa using its generation.africa theme. It is intended to target different youth audiences and encourage them to be involved in discussions that define and increase their common stake-holding in the development and evolution of the Internet and how this affects them. e.g<ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/yes-campaign/generation-africa generation.africa]</ref><ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11681274-generationafrica-on-their-high-at-the-6th-igf-held-in-nairobi-kenya.html Generation.africa On their High at IGF Kenya]</ref><ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1105302100111.html Generation.africa hailed "Yes2dotAfrica" at DCA's Headquarters in Mauritius]</ref>
<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11036620-generationafrica-spoke-at-tandaa-symposium.html Generation.africa spoke at Tandaa Symposium]</ref>
<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11036620-generationafrica-spoke-at-tandaa-symposium.html Generation.africa spoke at Tandaa Symposium]</ref>
 
[[File:Yes2dotafrica_campaign_dakar.jpg‎|right|upright|[[Yes2dotAfrica Campaign]]]]
===African ccTLD’s:===
===African ccTLD’s:===
DCA has noted that African ccTLDs are at a great disadvantage and have stagnated for a very long period of time. DCA’s DotAfrica initiative has strongly advocated for African ccTLDs and proposed to work with them based on a beneficial cross-marketing scheme that would help grow the base of user registrations and also improve the technologies and businesses of the African ccTLDs eg.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/10835407-domain-africa-at-kampala-an-invasion-of-armies-cannot-stop-an-idea-whose-time-has-come.html Domain .africa at Kampala - "An invasion of armies cannot stop an idea whose time has come"]</ref>
DCA has noted that African ccTLDs are at a great disadvantage and have stagnated for a very long period of time. DCA’s DotAfrica initiative has strongly advocated for African ccTLDs and proposed to work with them based on a beneficial cross-marketing scheme that would help grow the base of user registrations and also improve the technologies and businesses of the African ccTLDs eg.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/10835407-domain-africa-at-kampala-an-invasion-of-armies-cannot-stop-an-idea-whose-time-has-come.html Domain .africa at Kampala - "An invasion of armies cannot stop an idea whose time has come"]</ref>


==Media Coverages==
==International Media Coverage==
'''2011'''
The organization has received extensive coverage, credits and recognition from local and global media including foreign language news media, ranging from over 80 diverse online and print global media coverage with readership over a billion combined and over 21 foreign media coverage nearing over 50 million readers, as well as on DotConnectAfrica championing the .africa initiative.
*October 03 2011- The Successful Yes2dotAfrica Campaign invited to Munich, Germany <ref>[http://domainsafrica.blogspot.com/2011/10/successful-yes2dotafrica-campaign.html The Successful Yes2dotAfrica Campaign invited to Munich, Germany]</ref>
 
*August 09 2011- DotAfrica: Generation.Africa Thanks ICANN and DCA<ref>[http://domainsafrica.blogspot.com/2011/08/dotafrica-generationafrica-thanks-icann.html DotAfrica: Generation.Africa Thanks ICANN and DCA]</ref>
Throughout its campaign and has been featured on Yes2dotafrica has received a very high number of global media coverage throughout its campaign and has been featured on Bloomberg TV Africa program,<ref>[http://www.bloombergtvafrica.com/video/african-women-to-watch-26102013/ "African Women to Watch" - Sophia Bekele on Bloomberg TV"]</ref>
*June 24 2011- DCA and its “yes2DotAfrica” campaign: <ref>[http://domainsafrica.blogspot.com/2011/09/dotafrica-africa-made-history-with.html DCA and its “yes2DotAfrica” campaign:]</ref>
CNN discussion of "Yes2dotAfrica" campaign in Dakar Senegal,<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/07/tech/africa-domain-name/ Scramble for 'dot africa' internet domain name]</ref> Africa 7 TV Channel in Senegal<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUAtpDEzeoE Africa 7's Zara DERIBE in a conversation with Sophia Bekele on DotAfrica and being a Woman-In-Charge]</ref> and Nation Television (NTV) on "doing Business in Africa", <ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Smd6Sxp6h6U Nations TV calls Sophia Bekele on business in Africa + the new Domain for Africa]</ref> as well as Kenya's leading TV station  K24's Capital Talk "Movers and Shakers of Africa" <ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfjOAtv-fMs Capital Talk, Movers and Shakers of Africa]</ref> KASS Media International,<ref>[http://dotafrica.podomatic.com/entry/2011-03-21T20_58_04-07_00 KASS Media International on her international work by CBS International and DCA activities]</ref> Radio Netherland<ref>[http://www.rnw.nl/africa/radioshow/mobile-banking-africa%E2%80%99s-next-revolution Africa in Progress - Mobile banking: Africa’s next revolution]</ref> and a DotAfrica generation soon to be born<ref>[http://www.rnw.nl/africa/article/a-dotafrica-generation-soon-be-born A DotAfrica generation soon to be born]</ref>  as well as Startup Success Radio in the US.[http://www.prlog.org/11631681-start-up-success-san-francisco-web-20-meets-yes2dotafrica.html Start-Up Success San Francisco-Web 2.0 meets "Yes2dotAfrica"]</ref>
*April 27 2011- KASS Media Spoke to Sophia Bekele on the "Yes2dotAfrica" Campaign <ref>[http://dotafrica.podomatic.com/entry/2011-03-21T20_58_04-07_00 KASS Media Spoke to Sophia Bekele on the "Yes2dotAfrica" Campaign]</ref>


'''2010'''
===Selected media coverage===
*December 08 2010- Diplomat EastAfrica reports Brains behind .africa"  <ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11041902-brains-behind-africa-reports-diplomat-eastafrica-profiling-bekeles-work.html Africa domain attracts interest]</ref>
*DCA participated at the New TLDs conference in Munich, DirectRegister<ref>[http://www.directregister.biz/dotconnectafrica-participated-at-the-conference-on-new-tlds-at-munich|accessdate=2012-06-03 DCA participated at the New TLDs conference in Munich, DirectRegister]</ref>
*August 16 2010- Africa domain attracts interest<ref>[http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=7C756947-1A64-6A71-CE373250A7BA4A5F Africa domain attracts interest]</ref>
*The Successful Yes2dotAfrica Campaign invited to Munich, Germany <ref>[http://domainsafrica.blogspot.com/2011/10/successful-yes2dotafrica-campaign.html The Successful Yes2dotAfrica Campaign invited to Munich, Germany]</ref>
*September 15 2010- Can "Africa" get a make-over?<ref>[http://www.economist.com/blogs/baobab/2010/09/rebranding_africa Can "Africa" get a make-over?]</ref>
*DotConnectAfrica, StartUp Success podcast, San Francisco<ref>[http://startupsuccesspodcast.com/2011/06/show-111-sophia-bekele-dot-connect-africa DotConnectAfrica, StartUp Success podcast, San Francisco]</ref>
*September 10 2010- Dot Africa campaign to brand continent <ref>[http://www.bizcommunity.co.ke/Article/111/16/52038.html Dot Africa campaign to brand continent]</ref>  
*Diplomat EastAfrica reports Brains behind .africa"  <ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11041902-brains-behind-africa-reports-diplomat-eastafrica-profiling-bekeles-work.html Africa domain attracts interest]</ref>
*August 16 2010- Africa domain attracts interest <ref>[http://www.cio.co.ke/channel2/Africa-domain-attracts-interest/Africa-domain-attracts-interest domain attracts interest]</ref>  
*Re-branding Africa, The Economist <ref>[http://www.economist.com/blogs/baobab/2010/09/rebranding_africa Can "Africa" get a make over?]</ref>
*March 27 2010- Africa: Heralding the birth of dot.africa generation  <ref>[http://www.ethiopian-news.com/dot-africa/ Africa: Heralding the birth of dot.africa generation]</ref>
*A dotafrica generation soon to be born, Radio Netherlands <ref>[http://www.rnw.nl/africa/article/a-dotafrica-generation-soon-be-born A dotafrica generation soon to be born, Radio Netherlands]</ref>
*March 22 2010- Announcing the birth of the dot.africa generation  <ref>[http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/business/Announcing%20the%20birth%20of%20the%20dot%20africa%20generation%20/-/2560/883240/-/11o2qf0z/-/index.html Announcing the birth of the dot.africa generation]</ref>
*DotAfrica: Generation.Africa Thanks ICANN and DCA <ref>[http://domainsafrica.blogspot.com/2011/08/dotafrica-generationafrica-thanks-icann.html DotAfrica: Generation.Africa Thanks ICANN and DCA]</ref>
*DCA and its “yes2DotAfrica” campaign: <ref>[http://domainsafrica.blogspot.com/2011/09/dotafrica-africa-made-history-with.html DCA and its “yes2DotAfrica” campaign:]</ref>
*KASS Media Spoke to Sophia Bekele on the "Yes2dotAfrica" Campaign <ref>[http://dotafrica.podomatic.com/entry/2011-03-21T20_58_04-07_00 KASS Media Spoke to Sophia Bekele on the "Yes2dotAfrica" Campaign]</ref>
*Africa domain attracts interest <ref>[http://www.cio.co.ke/channel2/Africa-domain-attracts-interest/Africa-domain-attracts-interest domain attracts interest]</ref>
*Dot Africa campaign to brand continent <ref>[http://www.bizcommunity.co.ke/Article/111/16/52038.html Dot Africa campaign to brand continent]</ref>
*Heralding the birth of dot.africa generation  <ref>[http://www.ethiopian-news.com/dot-africa/ Africa: Heralding the birth of dot.africa generation]</ref>
*Announcing the birth of the dot.africa generation  <ref>[http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/business/Announcing%20the%20birth%20of%20the%20dot%20africa%20generation%20/-/2560/883240/-/11o2qf0z/-/index.html Announcing the birth of the dot.africa generation]</ref>
* Agency de Presse Sènègalaise, Dakar Senegal <ref>[http://www.aps.sn/aps.php?page=dossier_article&id_mot l’Afrique se dotera de son premier nom de domaine en janvier ]</ref>


==Select Live Media ==
===Select Live Media ===
'''Movers & Shakers of Africa'''- Jeff Koinange  first media presentation and interview  with Sophia Bekele on the .Africa Domain name she introduced to Africa.  
'''Movers & Shakers of Africa'''- Jeff Koinange  first media presentation and interview  with Sophia Bekele on the .Africa Domain name she introduced to Africa.  
{{#ev:youtube|OfjOAtv-fMs}}
{{#ev:youtube|OfjOAtv-fMs}}

Revision as of 05:43, 1 March 2015

Type: Non-Profit, Trust Program
Industry: DNS, ICT, Domain, Branding
Founded: 2006
Founder(s): Sophia Bekele
Headquarters: Mauritius
Country: Kenya
Key People
  • Sophia Bekele, Founder
  • Shanil Ramtohul, Chief Finance Officer
  • Kim Gueho, Trust Fund Manager

The Yes2dotAfrica is part of the Trust program of DotConnectAfrica's (DCA) established in 2007, as an on-going effort to create awareness of the benefits of a dotAfrica gTLD internet domain name and do a public outreach.

Other Trust programs identified by DCA include Miss.africa, Generation.africa and driving the capacity of the African ccTLDs.

The Yes2dotafrica campaign is a multi-lingual advocacy campaign that was set up as part of the trust program of DotConnectAfrica's (DCA) established in 2007 and has gained global recognition and been given credence as a platform for advocacy of the benefits of DotAfrica gTLD and technology transfer to Africa. As a result, the campaign has received a huge amount of positive feedback and global media coverage since its inception[1]

DCA has been invited to share its knowledge and experiences at major Universities in the U.S[2] [3] , Heads of States forums in Africa[4] , United Nations and other large economic forums in US and Europe and globally[5], including Web 2.0[6], TV & Radio programs, IGF and ICANN forums, allowing it to become a highly visible applicant and advocate for the African gTLD. DCA plans to continue to use the Yes2DotAfrica campaign to promote the DotAfrica domain.

First Multilingual Social Media based Campaign[edit | edit source]

The Yes2dotAfrica campaign is the first ever multilingual (English, French, Arabic) social media based outreach platform implemented at the time. It used Facebook and Twitter platforms and numerous other Social media platforms in these languages to create the awareness and advocacy for the .africa domain. The successful social media outreach in combination with road shows in major African countries allowed it to gain recognition over mainstream media.[7]

Multilingual Yes2dotAfrica Campaign
Multilingual Yes2dotAfrica Campaign

Launch of Yes2dotafrica campaign[edit | edit source]

The Yes2dotAfrica campaign was first launched in East Africa during the 2010 AITEC East Africa ICT Summit held from 7-8 September 2010 in Nairobi, Kenya. The initiative is meant to give Africa a regional identity and global presence. Sophia Bekele, executive director, DotConnectAfrica made the announcement during the summit in her Keynote speech, in the presence of hundreds who attended and a panel of other advisory board and interests discussants.[8] [9][10] [11][12]

Global Campaign Outreach, Advocacy and Sponsorships[edit | edit source]

The first African TLD to sponsor an ICANN Events Notably in Brussels in 2008[13] and in Dakar, Senegal in 2011.[14] Since, the Yes2dotAfrica campaign has mounted a global campaign that has also been featured in the media widely and also invited to the global forums and universities. This was a major advocacy avenue for the benefits of the campaign and how it would bring significant initiative to empower the Youth,and women to initiate ground breaking innovations and leadership roles to catalyze internet growth in Africa.

Early Recorded Championship of Yes2dotAfrica campaign[edit | edit source]

DCA through the Yes2dotAfrica campaign has been an active supporter of the ICANN new gTLD process, and is a global stakeholder in actively promoting and campaigning for the introduction of the new gTLDs and Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs). The “generation.africa” thus is an established a theme, to empower the youth to adapt the powers of the internet and its use, thus enjoying a great following thus far. Some of the early recorded activities to champion the campaign include:

United Domains DotAfrica New gTLD
United Domains DotAfrica New gTLD

Yes2dotAfrica Campaign Triumphs at ICANN 42 Dakar[edit | edit source]

DotConnectAfrica (DCA) was one of the principal participants and silver-level sponsor of the ICANN-42 international gathering, and was involved in various activities that took place throughout the week-long meeting in Dakar. DCA also mounted a well-attended exhibition on DotAfrica, and its Yes2DotAfrica campaign, which was visited by the Senegalese President and Head of State, H.E. Monsieur Abdoulaye Wade, and the Senegalese Minister for Telecommunications and Information/Communications Technologies, Monsieur Moustapha Guirassy. ICANN-42 was a great opportunity to focus positive attentions on DCA's Yes2DotAfrica Campaign, and we are pleased to present a summary of the main activities and important accomplishments for the benefit of our Pan-African constituency. [15]

Yes2dotAfrica successful at ICANN 40 in San Francisco, California[edit | edit source]

The Yes2dotAfrica campaign also participated in several ICANN meetings such as the March 2011, ICANN 40 San Francisco, California also home to DCA, where ".africa" was first initiated as an African Diaspora project. The vision of a 'New African generation' was born here.[16]

Progress towards a ".africa" at ICANN 38, in Brussels the Capital of Europe[edit | edit source]

Brussels ICANN no. 38 held in June 2010 was a success for DotConnectAfrica as sponsor & presenting Africa's common position. In the forum was also expected that dotafrica will provide African languages with the same opportunities and allow the benefits of initiatives such as Yes2dotAfrica campaign to flourish.[17]

Trust Programs[edit | edit source]

Aside from the "Yes2dotAfrica campaign" Trust program, which has been widely successful, DCA has already undertaken initiatives under its Trust program which include the following:

Miss.africa:[edit | edit source]

The miss.africa programme is a gender-focused initiative targeted mainly at female youth audiences in Africa to increase their personal involvement in early technology use and adoption with a view to improving their digital self-awareness and empowerment, and overall self-esteem. It was inspired mainly by the DNS Women’s group of ICANN. The "Miss.Africa" program is envisioned as one of the central pillars of DCA’s corporate social responsibility program and was first launched and publicized during the ICANN gala event in Singapore [18][19]and continued in Dakar. It is aimed at attracting more young girls and women to the Internet platform to enable them form a sizable demographic of Internet users in Africa, thereby involving them in complementary gender development initiatives that improve the lives of young girls and women[20]

Generation.africa:[edit | edit source]

Generation.africa is a youth focused program launched by DCA to empower a new generation of Internet users in Africa using its generation.africa theme. It is intended to target different youth audiences and encourage them to be involved in discussions that define and increase their common stake-holding in the development and evolution of the Internet and how this affects them. e.g[21][22][23] [24]

Yes2dotAfrica Campaign
Yes2dotAfrica Campaign

African ccTLD’s:[edit | edit source]

DCA has noted that African ccTLDs are at a great disadvantage and have stagnated for a very long period of time. DCA’s DotAfrica initiative has strongly advocated for African ccTLDs and proposed to work with them based on a beneficial cross-marketing scheme that would help grow the base of user registrations and also improve the technologies and businesses of the African ccTLDs eg.[25]

International Media Coverage[edit | edit source]

The organization has received extensive coverage, credits and recognition from local and global media including foreign language news media, ranging from over 80 diverse online and print global media coverage with readership over a billion combined and over 21 foreign media coverage nearing over 50 million readers, as well as on DotConnectAfrica championing the .africa initiative.

Throughout its campaign and has been featured on Yes2dotafrica has received a very high number of global media coverage throughout its campaign and has been featured on Bloomberg TV Africa program,[26] CNN discussion of "Yes2dotAfrica" campaign in Dakar Senegal,[27] Africa 7 TV Channel in Senegal[28] and Nation Television (NTV) on "doing Business in Africa", [29] as well as Kenya's leading TV station K24's Capital Talk "Movers and Shakers of Africa" [30] KASS Media International,[31] Radio Netherland[32] and a DotAfrica generation soon to be born[33] as well as Startup Success Radio in the US.Start-Up Success San Francisco-Web 2.0 meets "Yes2dotAfrica"</ref>

Selected media coverage[edit | edit source]

  • DCA participated at the New TLDs conference in Munich, DirectRegister[34]
  • The Successful Yes2dotAfrica Campaign invited to Munich, Germany [35]
  • DotConnectAfrica, StartUp Success podcast, San Francisco[36]
  • Diplomat EastAfrica reports Brains behind .africa" [37]
  • Re-branding Africa, The Economist [38]
  • A dotafrica generation soon to be born, Radio Netherlands [39]
  • DotAfrica: Generation.Africa Thanks ICANN and DCA [40]
  • DCA and its “yes2DotAfrica” campaign: [41]
  • KASS Media Spoke to Sophia Bekele on the "Yes2dotAfrica" Campaign [42]
  • Africa domain attracts interest [43]
  • Dot Africa campaign to brand continent [44]
  • Heralding the birth of dot.africa generation [45]
  • Announcing the birth of the dot.africa generation [46]
  • Agency de Presse Sènègalaise, Dakar Senegal [47]

Select Live Media[edit | edit source]

Movers & Shakers of Africa- Jeff Koinange first media presentation and interview with Sophia Bekele on the .Africa Domain name she introduced to Africa.

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Dotafrica Launch Dance Video: The video was produced by DCA for the launch of the Yes2dotAfrica campaign at the AITEC East Africa ICT Summit held from 7-8 September 2010 in Nairobi, Kenya

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The Yes2dotAfrica Campaign, Journey of .Africa by DotConnectAfrica. This video is a collection of films and media campaign efforts made by DotConnectAfrica to introduce the .Africa gTLD to the Peoples of Africa.

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Bloomberg TV Features Sophia Bekele Founder and CEO of CBS International and DotConnectAfrica as,"African Women to Watch"

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References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Brains behind .africa" reports Diplomat EastAfrica, profiling Bekele's work
  2. ↑ Golden Gate University
  3. ↑ Economic Address - African Leadership Council - UC Sacramento
  4. ↑ Connect Africa Summit
  5. ↑ E-Government & Public Private Partnerships, United Nations (UNPAN), Geneva
  6. ↑ Startup Success, San Francisco, Web 2.0, Conference
  7. ↑ Join our "Yes2dotAfrica" campaign,
  8. ↑ "Lead speaker Sophia Bekele at the "Launch of the Dot Africa East African campaign"- AITEC EAst Africa Summit
  9. ↑ Dot Africa campaign to brand continent
  10. ↑ A DotAfrica generation soon to be born
  11. ↑ "Brains behind .africa" reports Diplomat EastAfrica, profiling Bekele's work
  12. ↑ Yes Campaign
  13. ↑ Yes Campaign
  14. ↑ ICANN 42 Dakar: Meet the Yes2dotAfrica Campaign in Senegal!
  15. ↑ Yes2dotAfrica Campaign Triumphs at ICANN 42 Dakar
  16. ↑ Yes2dotAfrica Campaign successful at ICANN 40 in San Francisco, CA
  17. ↑ Progress towards a ".africa" at ICANN 38, in Brussels the Capital of Europe
  18. ↑ Mission
  19. ↑ ICANN gala event in Singapore
  20. ↑ ".africa" music & dance performance
  21. ↑ generation.africa
  22. ↑ Generation.africa On their High at IGF Kenya
  23. ↑ Generation.africa hailed "Yes2dotAfrica" at DCA's Headquarters in Mauritius
  24. ↑ Generation.africa spoke at Tandaa Symposium
  25. ↑ Domain .africa at Kampala - "An invasion of armies cannot stop an idea whose time has come"
  26. ↑ "African Women to Watch" - Sophia Bekele on Bloomberg TV"
  27. ↑ Scramble for 'dot africa' internet domain name
  28. ↑ Africa 7's Zara DERIBE in a conversation with Sophia Bekele on DotAfrica and being a Woman-In-Charge
  29. ↑ Nations TV calls Sophia Bekele on business in Africa + the new Domain for Africa
  30. ↑ Capital Talk, Movers and Shakers of Africa
  31. ↑ KASS Media International on her international work by CBS International and DCA activities
  32. ↑ Africa in Progress - Mobile banking: Africa’s next revolution
  33. ↑ A DotAfrica generation soon to be born
  34. ↑ DCA participated at the New TLDs conference in Munich, DirectRegister
  35. ↑ The Successful Yes2dotAfrica Campaign invited to Munich, Germany
  36. ↑ DotConnectAfrica, StartUp Success podcast, San Francisco
  37. ↑ Africa domain attracts interest
  38. ↑ Can "Africa" get a make over?
  39. ↑ A dotafrica generation soon to be born, Radio Netherlands
  40. ↑ DotAfrica: Generation.Africa Thanks ICANN and DCA
  41. ↑ DCA and its “yes2DotAfrica” campaign:
  42. ↑ KASS Media Spoke to Sophia Bekele on the "Yes2dotAfrica" Campaign
  43. ↑ domain attracts interest
  44. ↑ Dot Africa campaign to brand continent
  45. ↑ Africa: Heralding the birth of dot.africa generation
  46. ↑ Announcing the birth of the dot.africa generation
  47. ↑ l’Afrique se dotera de son premier nom de domaine en janvier
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