DotConnectAfrica’s .africa campaign quoted by ICANN as making the case for .africa and New gTLDs
“New GTLD program benefits be expanded to places such as Africa”- final applicant guidebook
.
When ICANN overwhelmingly approved the new gTLD Program, in the ICANN 41st June 2011 meeting Singapore it took the world by storm as one of the landmark developments that would significantly affect the internet landscape. “Today’s decision will usher in a new Internet age,” said the then Chairman of ICANN’s Board of Directors Peter Dengate Thrush, “We have provided a platform for the next generation of creativity and inspiration.”
.
This was only the formal beginning to what some of the individuals and organizations had long campaigned for and this set course, set the wheel running for the preparations that would mean the monumental increment of the domain name space form a paltry 21 to who knows over a 1000 names.
.
This resulted in an ambitious application of 1930 domain names, most of which were brand names. Among those were applications for geographic gTLDs, .africa featured among the hottest and probably the most competitive domain of all time, as promoted by DotConnectAfrica (Ref: United Domain Registration) nearing 8, 569 pre-registrations to date, and ranked amongst the top 50 new gTLDs.
.
DotConnectAfrica commenting on the June 2011 Singapore historic new gTLD approval announcement said:
“The successful passage of the ICANN Board Resolution approving the introduction of the new gTLDs was ample justification for DCA’s initiation of project since (6) years and its campaign and strenuous efforts expended over the past two years after winning the pivotal endorsement for DotAfrica from the African Union Commission and other esteemed partners.”
And continued that “ICANN recognizes Africa as one of its important ‘geographic regions’. It is therefore the intention of DCA to apply for DotAfrica and implement this gTLD for the benefit of users in Africa.”
.
Its no mean feat, having been quoted by the ICANN new gTLDs proposed final applicant guidebook public comment summary saying
.
“ICANN should move ahead with the new gTLD program so that the benefits of Internet connectivity can be expanded to places such as Africa. There are powerful and compelling reasons for Africa to need the .africa gTLD and now is the time for this opportunity to happen. DotConnectAfrica (13 Dec. 2010).”
.
A SEVEN (7) YEAR CAMPAIGN
DotConnectAfrica was the earliest proponent of the .africa string , a journey that is now close to seven years of 
hard toiling to educate the African constituency of the benefits of a local registry. With the intense lobbying to High organizations like the NTIA making a preliminary case for the .africa gTLD . Other organizations include the Internationalized Domain Resolution Union (IDRU), United Nation Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) who endorsed DCA and also the African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government gave endorsement for domain name “.Africa”.
hard toiling to educate the African constituency of the benefits of a local registry. With the intense lobbying to High organizations like the NTIA making a preliminary case for the .africa gTLD . Other organizations include the Internationalized Domain Resolution Union (IDRU), United Nation Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) who endorsed DCA and also the African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government gave endorsement for domain name “.Africa”..
Having set forward with a vigorous campaign that included governments, businesses and even private corporations, its seem clear and to their credit that DotConnectAfrica will stop at nothing till the Pan-Africa dream is achieved.
.
THE ICANN NEW gTLD PROGRAM IS MEANT TO BE COMPETITIVE
Given that the ICANN gTLD program is set to allow competition, we trust a level playing field will be staged by ICANN to ensure the efforts and the huge amount of monies spent towards participation in its program does not falter over lack of accountability and anti-competitive behavior of applicants.