Coalition for Digital Africa

What keeps the Internet running behind the scenes? Join our #ICANN webinar on the L-root DNS architecture—exploring its design, global deployment, and how it delivers secure, resilient #DNS at Internet scale. 📅 25 March 2026 | 12:00–12:45 UTC 👉 Learn more and register today: go.icann.org/40Exfh9

📢 #ICANN has launched the Universal Acceptance (UA) Curriculum program. UA is a technical necessity for a multilingual Internet, helping ensure all valid domain names and related email addresses work across Internet-enabled applications, devices, and systems regardless of script, language, or character length. 🌟 The program enables academic institutions to integrate Internationalized Domain Names, Email Address Internationalization, and UA into relevant degree programs at no charge, with faculty training and support to add the topics into new or existing courses. 🔗 Learn more: go.icann.org/3ZUc2zu #AUBH #ForALifetimeOfSuccess #Unimodelo

📢 Applications are now open for the 2026 DNSSEC Roadshow! African ccTLD operators are invited to apply for technical support to deploy or expand DNSSEC and strengthen DNS security with guidance from experienced consultants. 🔗 Read the announcement: bit.ly/40HUZAU 🔎 Check eligibility and apply: bit.ly/4r9X57o

From coordination to implementation: three years on, the #CoalitionforDigitalAfrica is turning shared vision into measurable results. Through partnerships across governments, the technical community, and industry, the Coalition is strengthening DNS infrastructure and security, expanding L-root deployments, advancing Universal Acceptance in universities, supporting ccTLD capacity across Africa, and much more. This progress is made possible by the strength of our partners—working together through the Coalition is what enables this level of impact. This milestone offers a snapshot of progress so far—and a look at what comes next. Read the full blog: bit.ly/4scYif8 #DigitalInclusion #Internet4all #ccTLDs #CapacityDevelopment #DNSSEC

As we reflect on the year, we want to thank all our partners and stakeholders for the collective effort, commitment, and progress we achieved together. Your collaboration continues to strengthen Africa’s digital future. We are grateful for the journey so far and excited for what lies ahead. Warm holiday wishes, and looking forward to an impactful 2026! For information: bit.ly/3BFM07o

Last week, #Accra was full of momentum! 💫 We spent an incredible week connecting, learning, and collaborating across the Coalition for Digital Africa (@CoDigiAf) Partners Meeting, the Internet Measurement Awareness Workshop, the Africa Engagement Forum, and the Africa DNS Forum. 🌍 From thoughtful discussions to new connections, the week was vibrant and inspired by shared purpose. This short recap captures a few highlights from our week 📸 @AAU_67 @aftld #AfRegistrar @Ghanadomain #ICANN

June Okal, @ICANN’s Stakeholder Engagement Director for East and Southern Africa, shared updates on project progress, community engagement, and priorities for 2026, and thanked the Coalition Partners for their continued work across the region. We’ve also refreshed the Coalition for Digital Africa website. It now features a clearer structure, updated project pages, and improved navigation across initiatives. The site reflects the latest partner activities and offers a more straightforward way to follow the Coalition’s work to strengthen Africa’s Internet infrastructure and digital resilience. Explore the new site: bit.ly/3BFM07o

Coalition for Digital Africa partners met yesterday in Accra for a working session focused on progress, coordination, and shared priorities for 2026–2027. Partners reviewed achievements since launch, shared updates on ongoing projects, and aligned on next-phase workstreams including capacity development, multilingual access, and technical readiness across the region. Thank you to the @Association of African Universities for hosting and to all partners for their continued collaboration. #Lusnic @RealSmartAfrica @lawyershubHQ @atu_uat @ICANN @aftld

A movement is growing across Africa. New IXPs in Benin, Malawi, Rwanda, and Madagascar are helping keep Internet traffic local — and communities connected. Explore the stories: bit.ly/4o4KWiQ #DigitalAfrica #Connectivity #IXP #ICANN @internetsociety

In Kenya and Nigeria, local Internet traffic grew from 30% to 70%. Collaboration through the Coalition for Digital Africa is showing what’s possible when communities build IXPs together: bit.ly/4o4KWiQ #Connectivity #IXP #Peering #ICANN @internetsociety

Only 41% of #Africa’s online content is locally cached. The #CoalitionforDigitalAfrica and the @internetsociety are working to change that — keeping data local for a faster, stronger Internet. Learn more: bit.ly/4o4KWiQ #IXP #Connectivity #peering #ICANN

Strengthening the Internet in Africa starts with keeping traffic local. Under the #CoalitionForDigitalAfrica, the @internetsociety is expanding and strengthening Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) across the continent so more Internet traffic stays within #Africa. This means faster connections, lower costs, and greater resilience for everyone online. From Kenya and Nigeria to Benin, Rwanda, Malawi, and Madagascar, communities are proving what’s possible when local expertise and collaboration come together. Read how these efforts are shaping a stronger, more connected Africa: bit.ly/4o4KWiQ #DigitalAfrica #Connectivity #IXP #Peering #ICANN #InternetSociety

Yesterday in Dublin, Smart Africa represented by our Unit Manager for Resilient & Digital Infrastructure, Rodrigue Guiguemde, co-hosted the GAC Africa Strategy Session in collaboration with @ICANN, as part of #ICANN84. This milestone session focused on strengthening Africa’s collective voice in global Internet governance and advancing a regional coordination roadmap to ensure the continent speaks with one coherent and strategic voice. #SmartAfrica #ICANN84 #GACAfrica #InternetGovernance #DigitalSovereignty

🔔 Happening tomorrow, at 12:00 UTC! Join the #ICANN and African Telecommunications Union (@atu_uat) co-organized webinar on the Next Round of New gTLDs. Learn about the application process and support opportunities for the upcoming round of new gTLDs. 🔗 Register here: go.icann.org/3KaQgTt #newgtlds #newgtldprogram

📣 We’ve just marked a key step in Burundi’s DNSSEC journey. Last week, we completed the ceremony to submit the .BI ccTLD Delegation Signer (DS) record to Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), and it is now published in the root zone. ✨ This effort is part of the Coalition for Digital Africa initiative on the DNSSEC Roadshows. 🌟 With this milestone, .BI is now DNSSEC-active. This enables validating resolvers to authenticate .BI domain responses and strengthens trust and resilience for users and businesses in Burundi. 🌍 🎉 Congratulations to the Centre National De L’Informatique (.BI registry), the Ministère des Finances, du Budget et de l'Economie Numérique, and all partners involved. Check out the DNSSEC status of African ccTLDs on our webpage: bit.ly/3SAthCi #DNSSEC #RootZone #ccTLD #Burundi #CoalitionForDigitalAfrica @FinancesBdi @_binic

How did the two ccTLDs take different paths to achieve DNSSEC success? Our second blog will take you through the two #DNSSEC deployment journeys, 🔐 in Burkina Faso (.BF) and Cameroon (.CM), illustrating how different, equally valid strategies can lead to outstanding results. 🌍 📝Both ccTLDs are now fully DNSSEC operational, enhancing Internet security for their nations. 💬The key takeaway? Success isn't just about how fast you get there. It’s about choosing the right and sustainable path that aligns with your specific circumstances, capabilities, and goals. 💻Learn more about their distinct, successful journeys: coalitionfordigitalafrica.africa/news/dnssec_in… #BurkinaFaso #Cameroon #DigitalTransformation #CoalitionforDigitalAfrica

The recent successful DNSSEC deployments by Burkina Faso (.BF) and Cameroon (.CM) are more than just national achievements; they represent a significant stride forward for the entire African Internet ecosystem. 🌍🔐 If you are an Internet user in the region, what does this mean for you? 🤔 By officially signing their zones and becoming DNSSEC operational, registries are contributing to: ▪️Regionally Enhanced Security: Each ccTLD that implements DNSSEC makes the Internet infrastructure more resilient against widespread attacks that could otherwise disrupt services. ▪️A Community of Progress: These deployments expand the cohort of African ccTLDs committed to robust Internet infrastructure, and demonstrate a powerful example to other registries across the globe. It’s all about making the Internet secure and resilient. 🌍 Want to know more about how they did it? Check out the blog on our website 🔗: coalitionfordigitalafrica.africa/news/strengthe… #InternetSecurity #SecureInternet #BurkinaFaso #Cameroon #ICANN

📣 Exciting news from the Coalition for Digital Africa! 📣 🎉 Burkina Faso's .BF and Cameroon's .CM ccTLDs are now fully Domain Name System Security Extensions (#DNSSEC) operational, 🌟marking a significant step forward for regional Internet security. This crucial deployment, celebrated in Ouagadougou and Yaoundé, was achieved under the DNSSEC Roadshow project, with dedicated support from ICANN. The success highlights the power of sustained technical assistance, infrastructure reviews, and hands-on training in translating assessments into full-scale implementation. Congratulations to Association Burkinabè des Domaines Internet (@226abdi) and @antic_cameroun for their commitment! 💬Learn more about their journey and the impact on #Africa's digital landscape: coalitionfordigitalafrica.africa/news/strengthe… #InternetSecurity #DigitalTransformation #ccTLD #ICANN #BurkinaFaso #Cameroon

We’re excited to welcome Kurt Erik “Kurtis” Lindqvist, President and CEO of @ICANN, as a special guest at the Transform Africa Summit 2025! A seasoned tech executive with over 30 years of experience, Lindqvist has dedicated his career to advancing the stability, security, and accessibility of the Internet. TAS 2025 gives you the chance to engage directly with global leaders and experts like Kurtis, don’t miss this unique opportunity. Register now: register.transformafricasummit.org #TransformAfrica #TAS2025 #AIforAfrica #SmartAfrica

Smart Africa, in collaboration with @ICANN and @CoDigiAf, will host a Africa Government Advisory Committee (GAC) meeting today on the sidelines of ICANN83 in Prague. The agenda includes a progress update on the internet Governance Blue print process, the establishment of the African Internet Governance Council (CAIGA), among other key topics. GAC's role is to provide advice to ICANN on issues of public policy. --------- Smart Africa, en collaboration avec l'ICANN et la Coalition for Digital Africa, organise aujourd'hui une réunion du Comité consultatif des gouvernements africains (GAC) en marge de l'ICANN83 à Prague. L'ordre du jour comprend une mise à jour de l'état d'avancement du processus d'impression bleue de la gouvernance de l'internet, l'établissement du Conseil africain de la gouvernance de l'internet (CAIGA), parmi d'autres sujets clés. Le rôle du GAC est de conseiller l'ICANN sur les questions de politique publique. #smartafrica #internetgovernance #ICANN83