Domain Summit Africa Opens in Nairobi, Focuses on Domain Growth and Digital Trust

The inaugural Domain Summit Africa 2026 opened in Nairobi this week, bringing together sector stakeholders to discuss the growth of Africa’s domain industry and strengthen digital trust across the continent.

Hosted by the Kenya Network Information Centre (KeNIC) in partnership with Domain Summit London, the two-day meeting running between Monday, Feb 23, 2026 and Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026, attracted more than 250 delegates from over 30 countries.

Participants included country code top-level domain (ccTLD) operators, global internet institutions, registrars, technology firms and regulators. The summit was held at the Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel.

Opening the summit, Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy William Kabogo Gitau said Kenya is prioritising the development of a reliable and secure domain ecosystem as part of its broader digital economy strategy.

He said government investments in connectivity, cybersecurity and digital policy frameworks are aimed at supporting innovation and online business growth.

“A vibrant domain ecosystem enhances security, innovation and job creation, and strategically positions Africa in the international digital space,” Kabogo said, noting that Kenya has invested heavily in digital connectivity, cybersecurity capacity and digital identity frameworks.

Discussions at the summit centred on increasing adoption of local domains, improving affordability of domain services and expanding registrar networks across Africa.

Participants said stronger uptake of country code top-level domains such as .ke would support business formalisation, online security and consumer trust.

Industry players also explored partnerships to support small and medium-sized enterprises, with sessions focusing on practical measures to lower entry barriers for businesses seeking an online presence.

Delegates noted that SMEs remain underrepresented in domain registrations despite rapid growth in e-commerce and digital services.

Another key focus was domain governance and Africa’s participation in global internet policy processes.

Representatives from ICANN and regional domain organisations discussed coordination between governments, registries and private sector operators to improve DNS management and policy alignment.

The summit also highlighted business opportunities within the domain sector itself, including investments in hosting, cybersecurity, and managed digital services.

Organisers said the event was designed as a business-to-business platform, with networking sessions aimed at accelerating commercial partnerships and regional expansion.

Kenya used the forum to reinforce its position as a regional hub for digital policy dialogue and internet infrastructure collaboration.

Outcomes from the summit are expected to inform future engagement on domain governance, cybersecurity standards and digital identity initiatives.

The Domain Summit Africa continues on Tuesday with technical workshops, policy roundtables and exhibitions, before closing with follow-up business meetings and side events involving regional and international stakeholders.

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