DNS Workshop: ‘Building a Sustainable Domain Names Business in Africa and the Middle East’

ICANN joins the Africa Information and Communication Technologies Alliance (AfICTA) and Egypt’s National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (NTRA) in organizing a first of its kind two-day workshop on DNS Entrepreneurship.

When: 4-5 November 2014
Where: Cairo Intercontinental City Stars, Cairo, Egypt

The ICANN regional engagement strategies and the communities in both Africa and the Middle East have identified “strengthening the domain name industry” as a strategic area that requires enormous effort. This unique workshop is a step forward in further awareness and development of the DNS in both regions. Moreover, it is aligned with ICANN’s regional strategic objectives in raising awareness and demonstrating how the African and Middle Eastern domain name business and industry can rise up to the challenges at hand. ICANN is fully committed to this and with the collaboration from other regional stakeholders are able to bring the change and transformation we all seek.

This activity is within the framework of engagement between ICANN and the NTRA in solidly establishing the recently announced DNS Entrepreneurship Center in Egypt to support the development of the industry in Africa and the Middle East.

The workshop will include opening session keynotes, presentations and panel discussions from experts in the private sector addressing the following key topics:

1. Strategies for building a sustainable domain names business;
2. Domain names in underserved regions – challenges and new approaches;
3. The insurance market and the DNS Industry;
4. Registrar experiences from Africa and the Middle East.

The target audience includes ICANN accredited registrars, private sector interested in the DNS business (well established companies, ISPs, SMEs, and entrepreneurs), as well as policy makers.

Useful links:
http://afictasummit2014.org
Agenda: http://afictasummit2014.org/agenda.html
Online registration: http://afictasummit2014.org/registration.php

AGENDA

November 4, 2014	Day 1
09:00-09:45	Opening SessionKeynote Speakers: Hesham El-Alaily, NTRA AfICTA Pierre Dandjinou, ICANN
09:45-10:30	New Internet Extensions – An Opportunity for GrowthSpeaker: Patrick Jones, ICANN
10:30-11:00	Break
11:00-11:45	Update on Africa and Middle East Regional StrategiesSpeakers: Pierre Dandjinou and Baher Esmat, ICANN
11:45-12:15	DNS Entrepreneurship CenterSpeaker: Manal Ismail, NTRA
12:15-13:00	How to become an ICANN Accredited RegistrarSpeaker: Patrick Jones, ICANN
13:00-14:30	Lunch
14:30-15:15	Insurance market in Africa – and the DNS IndustrySpeaker: Nii Quaynor, Ghana Dot Com
15:15-16:00	Supporting the Domain Name Industry in Underserved Regions Speaker: Baher Esmat, ICANN
16:00-16:30	Wrap up of Day 1
November 5, 2014	Day 2
11:30-13:00	Panel Discussion: Sharing Experiences from the Domain Names WorldModerator: Christine Arida, NTRASpeakers: Giovanni Seppia, EURid Moez Chakchouk, ATI Godwin Toilem, KENIC Mireille Houndji, ARTCI Hamza Aboulfeth, Genious
13:00-13:30	Lunch
13:30-15:00	Panel Discussion: Way Forward – Building Sustainable Domain Names Business in Africa and the Middle EastModerator: Pierre Dandjinou, ICANNSpeakers: Oluniyi Ajao, Web4Africa Jonathan Gahamanyi, AFRIREGISTER Abibu Ntahigiye, TZNIC Wael Khalil, Link – Mobinil Group
15:00-16:00	Business matchmaking
16:00-17:00	Wrap up and closing