Africa’s Digital Divide: The Case of .africa Top-Level Domain

Clinton Mutambo Avatar
Africa TLD Registrars

Africa, the world’s second-largest and second-most populous continent, is often celebrated for its rich cultural diversity and vast potential. However, when it comes to its digital presence, the continent lags significantly behind other regions. A stark example of this digital divide is evident in the disparity of participation in the .africa Top-Level Domain (TLD), where Africa itself significantly trails behind other continents.

I have been active on the internet in Africa, working on a number of projects, since the late 2000s. So I know too well the glaring disparities of the divide. As experienced as I am now, I should not be surprised but I still do. It still shocks me.

At first glance, one might assume that the .africa TLD would be predominantly utilized by African nations and entities to showcase their presence on the internet. However, the reality is quite different.

Only 9 .africa TLD registrars are on the African continent. Europe has some 40 .africa registrars. North America has 13. France, with all its colonial issues has double what SA has and 3 short of the entire continent.

Africa’s engagement with its own digital identity is alarmingly low!

This stark contrast in registrar numbers raises critical questions about Africa’s digital strategy and its commitment to leveraging digital platforms for economic growth and empowerment.

It’s particularly embarrassing when considering Africa’s minimal contribution to global trade, hovering at less than 3%. In an increasingly interconnected world where digital presence is a prerequisite for economic competitiveness, Africa’s underrepresentation in the digital sphere is concerning, to say the least.

Moreover, the breakdown of African registrars further emphasizes the uneven distribution of digital participation within the continent. Out of the nine registrars, South Africa leads with three, followed by Morocco with two. Additionally, there is one registrar each in Burundi, Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal. While these numbers might seem insignificant compared to other continents, they shed light on the challenges and opportunities faced by African nations in establishing a robust digital presence.

The imbalance in registrar distribution raises further interrogation into why nations from former colonizers of the continent appear to be more active in the .africa TLD than the continent itself. This disparity hints at deeper issues of economic dependence and lack of indigenous digital infrastructure and expertise within Africa.

One plausible explanation for this phenomenon could be the historical legacy of colonialism, which has left many African nations grappling with systemic challenges in various sectors, including technology and digital innovation. The remnants of colonial-era policies and economic structures continue to shape the dynamics of global trade and influence patterns of participation in digital domains like .africa.

Furthermore, the lack of emphasis on digital literacy and infrastructure development within African nations contributes to the disparity in registrar numbers. While some regions of Africa have made significant strides in expanding internet access and digital connectivity, many areas still lack basic infrastructure and face challenges such as limited access to electricity and high-speed internet.

It is high time for African nations to take the internet more seriously and prioritize the development of their digital ecosystems. Investing in digital infrastructure, fostering innovation, and promoting digital literacy are crucial steps towards closing the digital divide and enabling Africa to fully harness the potential of the digital economy.

Additionally, there is a need for greater collaboration between governments, the private sector, and international organizations to support the growth of the .africa TLD and promote African ownership and participation in the digital space. By empowering local entrepreneurs and businesses to establish a strong online presence, Africa can assert itself as a key player in the global digital economy.

In conclusion, the disparity in registrar numbers for the .africa TLD underscores the urgent need for Africa to prioritize its digital development agenda. Addressing this imbalance requires concerted efforts from governments, businesses, and civil society to invest in digital infrastructure, promote digital literacy, and foster an environment conducive to digital innovation and entrepreneurship. Only through collective action can Africa bridge the digital divide and unlock its full potential in the digital age.

16 comments

  1. sad

    I think using colonization as an excuse then throws the blame off current government corruption and incompetence. yes it’s definite cause but we cannot do anything about it now.we need to move forward and we solution to current problems. when our own gvt depts are using Gmail or don’t even have website that’s speaks volumes on their focus

    1. The Economist🌽💎🔂🧆🍗🚏🍷🐘🍇💧

      You can tell an organisation by its grounds, lavatory and it’s email domain.

      .gmail for official business is not only unsecure, it’s takky.

  2. Sam

    Tld .africa and .ai are more like vanity plates.

    The writer could have better chosen some other metric to highlight disparities in IT of Africa and other continents

    1. Clinton Mutambo

      I beg to differ. One of the biggest banks in Africa by market cap is ABSA and they use Absa.africa to unify their diverse African markets. As a matter in fact even their emails in domestic markets are dot Africa. For a continent with limited levels of intra trade, promoting anything that unifies is even in thoughts as well as in policy goes a long way to the development we seek.

  3. Clinton Mutambo

    You are indeed correct. I was in DR Congo a month ago – Francophone in thinking. Go to Angola, Lusophone with even street vendors selling wares from Portugal. In our “Anglophone” world we tend to exercise a bit more freedom it seems however the fact that I’m expressing myself in English…The fact +300m Afri ans speak Swahili and we cannot/refuse to make it the core Africa language is crazy. Dot Africa really is reflective of realities – look at the EU flag as a standard, follow South East Asian unity via ASEAN….Mmm WE need to wake up.

    1. 💜

      🤙🏾

  4. D.K.

    Africa is about power, being in power and controlling power. Anything which threatens power, like witchcraft and technology, are a threat to the power. Added to most in power not versed with technology, they would rather have a team of witchdoctors and a well paid team of people to stifle technology. Maybe when the present two generations are gone completely will Africa have leaders who value technology and get to utilise the natural resources which are being given at a song to “developed” countries to use in the making of gadgets for use in technology.
    There is really no need to ship a raw material or a brain outside of Africa for it to enhance technology, it can be done on African soil.

    1. Always Off Topic

      You are fooling yourself if you think you can “wait out bad leadership “, the ideology lives on through it’s heirs. This is happening right before our eyes, as members of the first family are thrust into key positions.

      We have been waiting for what seems an eternity. At some point we will have to grow a pair , and stare down death herself.

  5. XL

    Hackem

  6. Kobr∆ Kommander

    Musazodaro varume. Bho here?

  7. Mu’svu🤙🏾

    Kuvhaira kwatinoita, yes you Zimbabwe. Tinoziva here kuti vamwe varikutoseka, vamwe kusiririswa zvamwe kusakendenga? 🤷🏾‍♂️

  8. Derict🤙🏾

    Spoiler Alert.

    In the African Dance Movie, Zimbabwe doesn’t win🇿🇼. We get third place behind South Africa🇿🇦 and the Winner DRC🇨🇩.

    However, it was a journey of rediscovery, so yah.

    1. Muzukuru wa ED

      Saka?

  9. Admire Kamutimbe

    The more I listen to wise people championing ICT developments in Africa, the more I become sold to the idea that we are solving a wrong problem altogether. We need to design our our solutions that meet our challenges not to try to tailor our challenges to Western and Eastern technologies. Look how long we have been paddling in circles in terms of tech policies, and other important frameworks that could bring real change if crafted based on challenges at hand

  10. Iqra Technology

    Dear Clinton,

    Your article on Africa’s digital divide, particularly focusing on the case of the .africa Top-Level Domain, sheds light on a crucial issue that often goes unnoticed. The statistics you’ve provided regarding the distribution of .africa TLD registrars are indeed eye-opening and underscore the urgent need for Africa to prioritize its digital development agenda.

    You’ve done an excellent job of highlighting the disparities in digital participation within the continent, as well as the broader implications of this divide on Africa’s economic competitiveness and empowerment. The historical context you’ve provided, particularly regarding the legacy of colonialism and its impact on digital infrastructure and expertise, offers valuable insights into the underlying challenges faced by African nations.

    Moreover, your call to action for African governments, businesses, and civil society to collaborate in addressing the digital divide is both timely and necessary. Investing in digital infrastructure, promoting digital literacy, and fostering an environment conducive to digital innovation are indeed crucial steps towards bridging the gap and enabling Africa to fully harness the potential of the digital economy.

    Overall, your article serves as a compelling call to action for all stakeholders to prioritize Africa’s digital development and ensure that the continent is not left behind in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Thank you for bringing attention to this important issue and advocating for change.

    Warm regards,
    [Iqra Technology]

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