Name plans for .Africa domain

This is according to the African Registry Consortium ( ARC ), a pan-African consortium that will administer the .africa domain by Africa and for Africa.

Regions like Far East and Europe already using similar web site names. The Web Firm for allotted Names and Numbers ( ICANN ) will have the final say in who administers the domain. One or two of the players concerned in ARC are also concerned in the administration of the co.za site name space in S. A. , which is at present under the administration of UniForum SA. The same EPP technology now being implemented for co.za and other .za 2nd level domains, will be made use of for the .africa domain idf ARC has its way.

"We see .africa as the best chance to highlight African knowledge and expertise", related ARC Speaker and founding member, Koffi Fabrice Djossou. "One only has to have a look at the way the co.za domain funds are applied by UniForum SA, to see the advantages of having the .africa domain administered by an African organization," recounted the ARC. "UniForum's co.za social responsibility initiative, as an example, launches at least 2 new PC laboratories at formerly disadvantaged colleges every month, with over two hundred laboratories having already been completed." "This new domain will give the continent a very African identity for the 1st time and will permit firms and setups operating here to proudly highlight their African operations and identity," announces Djossou. According to ARC the goal is to plug an African identity for the continent while simultaneously bettering the security aspects around such a domain. "ARC is looking for the backing of the African Union, as the AU in addition has recognized the commercial and social benefits the .africa domain may present," he is saying. Right now continues Djossou, ARC includes members from Senegal, Kenya, Benin and SA, and the door remains open to other African states that will express interest in becoming involved with ARC.