E-Business
ICANN’s Report Shows African DNS Market Worth $52m

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has released its Final Report on Africa Domain Name System (DNS) Market Study.
The study serves as part of ICANN’s outreach efforts to support and improve the regional DNS industry.
The report is the first of its kind in the region, which includes 54 countries and shows that there are, as of May 2017, some 5.1 million domain names associated with Africa. The total annual value of the African Domain Name market is some $52 million.
African DNS Market
The African continent top level DNS address space consists of 54 top level country code ccTLDs, (of which one, Southern Sudan (SS) is not yet delegated) plus five Internationalised Domain Names (IDNs): Egypt (مصر ,(Algeria (الجزائر ,(Tunisia (تونس ,(Sudan (سودان (and Morocco (المغرب (as well as three city codes (.CAPETOWN, .DURBAN and .JOBURG).
ICANN recently delegated the .AFRICA domain to the South African administrator, the ZA Central Registry (ZACR), and registrations will be fully open in July, 2017.
Analysis of the responses shows that at least 46% of Registries offer non-Latin scripts and more than a third of Registrars (34%) do.
Data from May 2017 indicates that a total of just over 3.5 million domains are active under the African ccTLDs10 .
There are about 1.4 million registrations in the gTLDs by African entities. Key findings of the research show approximately 1% of gTLD domains are registered by Africans.
Over the last six months (November 2016 – May 2017), African ccTLD domains have increased by 21%.
However, almost all (93%) of this increase was in fact in the four Freenom ‘domain hack’ countries. Nevertheless, the statistics quoted in the remainder of this Report are based on the November 2016 figure of 2.9 million ccTLD domain names. Registrations by Africans of gTLD domains total approximately 1.4 million, the bulk of which is ~1.2 million .COM domains.
The research indicates that high access costs, the lack of infrastructure and the fact that African Internet access is primarily via mobile devices results in a lower demand for domain names than elsewhere.
This was confirmed by responses to the survey, with respondents citing high prices as the biggest barrier to the development of the DNS market in most African countries followed by lack of infrastructure. Other broader issues identified as high barriers by respondents include poor dependability of Internet connections and unclear or restrictive policy and regulatory environments.
In addition, the research analysed the relationship, if any, between a country’s ranking in relation to levels of freedom (using rankings by Freedom House and IIAG) and the number of domains registered.
According to this, citizens of “free” countries in Africa register some 22 times as many domains as citizens in countries ranked “not free”. Domain name registration by African entities takes place mainly in countries where the local hosting industry and web development sector has developed sufficiently to create demand for local domains, i.e. mostly in South Africa, Egypt, Mauritius, Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Tunisia and Morocco.
The research also confirmed zero or low levels of local hosting in a significant majority of countries in the region: 41 countries hosted over 95% of their gTLD domains outside Africa.
The research found 51 functioning ccTLD Registries, with South Sudan (SS) not yet delegated and Eritrea (ER) and the Comoros (KM), which each have just over 100 domains, but have no apparent method of registering new domains via the Internet, also non-functional. Compared to other regions, Africa has a very small number of ICANN accredited Registrars.
In total, there are only 11 ICANN accredited registrars in the region13 – four in South Africa, two in Morocco and one each in Burundi, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia out of a global total of 2,143. However, there are many more Registrars than this actually active in Africa, with 450 Registrars accredited by the ZACR alone, for example.
Unless specified otherwise, the term “accredited Registrar” means a Registrar accredited by the relevant ccTLD Registry in the remainder of this report.
In reality, 26 countries have only one Registrar (typically the Registry itself), whereas 13 countries are fully competitive, use EPP and have multiple Registrars, with the remaining 14 being partly competitive and Southern Sudan not yet delegated. This was a factor in the number of ccTLD domains sold, although it is also true that successful markets attract more Registrars. For the Registrant Market, this market review identified over 5 million African ccTLD and gTLD domains. This equates to some 4.4 domains / 1000 population, whereas some commentators state that 100 – 300 domains / 1000 population is the norm in Europe.
In this regard it should be noted that there are a number of African countries (11 are most popular) that have unexpectedly high numbers of domain registrations due, it seems, to what are known as ‘domain hacks’ (where domains are utilised by entities or individuals not from these countries because the ccTLD forms part of an intended word or similar unexpected uses).
These occur because these countries have domain names that cost little or nothing to register or are attractive for special purposes where registering a short or a common word in the ccTLD has more relevance than registration in the more popular gTLDs such as .COM or .NET.
In addition these countries have non-restrictive rules that allow registration of domains from entities located outside the country. The DNS market roughly equates to a total value of about USD $38 million per annum for African ccTLD domain names alone. 14 At least 25% of this is likely to accrue to the international registrars and the remaining USD $29 million would be import or local revenue generated by the ccTLDs and Registrars.
About 73% of the total annual revenue on the continent is made by just ten countries (South Africa, Morocco, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Tanzania, Libya, Somalia, Cameroon and Ivory Coast).
Including the gTLD domains with an African connection increases the total annual value of the industry to some USD $52 million. Most of the African ccTLDs are available for registration for offshore entities without the requirement for a local presence.
In 15 countries there is a requirement for some form of local legal presence (corporate or individual) in order to register a domain name: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cap Verde, Egypt, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Tanzania, Tunisia and Zambia. In a few countries, including Kenya, there is an additional requirement for Registrars to be locally based, but not Registrants.
The study also considered the likely growth in the market. In all markets except South Africa (which is mature) there has been significant growth in the number of African domains registered by top-level domain registrars (e.g. .COM, .ORG and .INFO domains) as infrastructure rollout has increased in many countries, albeit off a low base.
The research expects this trend to continue – projecting an annual overall growth of 33%.
This suggests significant growth opportunities for local providers in individual countries – noting that 91% of the Registrants that responded to the online survey said they preferred to deal with local Registrars.
On 27 June, from 15:15-16:45 at Pavillon S8, ICANN will hold a public presentation to discuss the report during ICANN’s 59th Public Meeting (ICANN59), in Johannesburg. ICANN59 is also the 2nd Policy Forum, the 1st one being in Helsinki last year.
E-Business
Study Reveals Majority of IT Professionals Show Openness to Cyber Immunity

The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, with organisations seeking more robust ways to protect their digital assets. A recent global study conducted by Kaspersky reveals a growing shift toward proactive security strategies, particularly the adoption of Secure by Design development and Cyber Immunity – an innovative approach that embeds resilience directly into system architecture.

The study highlights that 90% of cybersecurity professionals surveyed in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region are familiar with Secure by Design development. This methodology integrates security into the very fabric of a system from its inception, rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Such an approach is already employed in high-stakes industries like aerospace, where security cannot be bolted on later – it must be intrinsic. Despite its advantages, however, adoption has been slow due to challenges related to standardisation and cost.
Cyber Immunity is the next frontier in cybersecurity
Building on Secure by Design principles, Cyber Immunity takes cybersecurity a step further by creating systems that inherently resist attacks without the need for constant patching or additional security layers. The study reveals that most experts are familiar with Cyber Immunity but interpret it differently.
When asked what they associate with the term, 64% of respondents in the META region linked it to Secure by Design systems that remain resilient under attack, while 56% viewed it as a combination of technology and policy measures that block cybercriminal access. Another 48% connected it to highly skilled cybersecurity teams, indicating that while awareness is high, a unified understanding is still developing.
The growing demand for proactive security
One of the most striking findings is the optimism surrounding inherently secure systems. Over half of respondents in the META region (63%) believe it is already possible or definitely achievable to design systems capable of withstanding cyberattacks without relying on additional security solutions.
Another 32% think it might be possible, reflecting openness to this idea despite some uncertainty. This shift in mindset aligns with a broader industry trend: traditional reactive security measures are no longer sufficient.
With AI-powered threats and increasingly sophisticated attacks, organisations need solutions that do more than just detect breaches—they must prevent them by design.
Integrating Cyber Immunity into security strategies
The study emphasises that resilience, expertise, and flexibility will define the next generation of cybersecurity. While Secure by Design provides the methodology, Cyber Immunity represents the ultimate goal—systems so robust that they minimise reliance on external defences.
“For companies looking ahead, Cyber Immunity offers more than just protection — it brings clear business benefits. When systems are built to be secure from the ground up, there’s less need for constant updates, patches, and extra security tools. That means fewer costs, less strain on IT teams, and stronger, more reliable protection over time,” said Dmitry Lukiyan, Head of KasperskyOS Business Unit.
Most importantly in today’s threat landscape, Cyber Immunity offers robust protection against next-generation challenges — including AI-driven attacks capable of outmaneuvering traditional security measures.
When security becomes an intrinsic property of system architecture rather than an external addition, businesses gain more than just protection—they secure a competitive market advantage.
This proactive approach future-proofs critical infrastructure, enabling organisations to operate confidently even as threats evolve. It transforms cybersecurity from a defensive necessity into a strategic differentiator that accelerates digital transformation while mitigating risk.
As the cybersecurity environment becomes more complex, Cyber Immunity is emerging as a vital strategy. Organisations that adopt it now will not only enhance their protection but also position themselves ahead of the curve in an increasingly volatile digital world.
E-Business
Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform, has launched its inaugural 2026 shopping campaign, Konga Jara, offering 25 per cent discount on Starlink internet kits alongside free nationwide delivery.

Konga
The campaign, drawing from the Nigerian concept of “jara” — the extra value traders add to purchases — aims to deliver exceptional deals across categories, helping shoppers turn new year aspirations into reality through affordable technology and value-driven shopping.
To qualify for the Starlink discount, customers must purchase kits on Konga.com, activate them at starlink.com/activate, and email activation details to [email protected] for verification against Starlink’s records. Discounts are subject to terms and conditions.
Konga said spotlighting Starlink underscores reliable internet’s role in Nigeria’s digital economy, supporting work, learning, entrepreneurship and communication for households and businesses.
Mr Onochie Melvin, Head of Commercial Planning at Konga, said: “We listened carefully to what Nigerians said they needed to truly kickstart 2026 on the right footing. Reliable internet connectivity emerged as the foundation upon which other aspirations depend.”
He added: “Students need it for online learning, entrepreneurs need it to scale digital businesses, and professionals rely on it for remote work. This Starlink offer is not just about selling products; it is about removing barriers that prevent Nigerians from fully participating in the digital economy.”
Beyond connectivity, Konga Jara provides genuine products from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with transparent pricing, warranties and authenticity guarantees.
As a composite e-commerce ecosystem, Konga integrates shopping, payments and logistics for seamless nationwide access, with exclusive deals shared via its social media channels throughout the campaign.
Shoppers can explore offers at www.konga.com and follow Konga’s official pages for updates across the Konga Group.
E-Business
Firm Identifies Global Scam Activity Linked to the Release of Avatar 3

The premiere of Avatar 3 has taken place in several countries and has been accompanied by a noticeable increase in online interest. Amid the heightened attention surrounding the release, Kaspersky experts identified an increase in cyber-scam campaigns that exploit the movie’s launch and users’ desire to watch it online. The fraudulent websites target users across multiple regions, indicating attempts by attackers to reach a global audience.

The scam operates as follows: cybercriminals create suspicious websites that offer online access to the Avatar 3 movie. Attackers place particular emphasis on localisation, publishing the sites in multiple languages to attract users from different countries. However, the translations are often poorly executed and contain grammatical errors and inconsistencies, which may serve as indicators of fraudulent activity.
When users attempt to start the video, they are presented with a fake media player and prompted to register in order to obtain “full” or “unlimited” access to the film. As part of the registration process, users are asked to provide personal information, including an email address and mobile phone number.
At later stages, scammers may request additional data, including payment details, under the guise of activating a “free trial.” This creates risks of credential compromise, particularly if users reuse passwords across multiple services, and may also lead to financial losses.
“Cybercriminals consistently exploit major movie premieres to capture users’ attention and increase the effectiveness of their schemes. We advise accessing films only through official platforms and exercising caution when encountering websites that request personal or payment information. It is also important to use reliable security solutions to protect all devices, including mobiles,” comments Olga Altukhova, Senior web content analyst at Kaspersky.
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