As the Multistakeholder Internet Governance meeting ended in
Addis, capital of Ethiopia, the global internet coordinator, the Internet
Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is targeting to increase the
number of Africa accredited registrars from the continent by 400 per cent.
This is coming as the two-day Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum (NDSF)
on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) ended in the commercial city of
Lagos, Friday, with the theme: Internet Governance and Cyber Security in Nigeria, an
event presided over by the former president of the Nigeria Computer Society
(NCS) Dr. Chris Nwannenna.
Speaking at the IG4D in Lagos, hosted by DigitalSENSE AfricaMedia, Dr. Nwannenna commended the organizers for a successful event
and determination to continuously educate Nigerians on issues affecting the
Internet as part of its multistakeholder contribution and preparing the
Internet community in Nigeria for the global Internet Governance Forum (IGF)
billed to hold in Indonesia later in the year.
“I am proud of DigitalSENSE group and congratulations for a
successful outing,” he declared, even as he called for more partnership among
stakeholders, especially in supporting the kind of enlightenment plan being
implemented by DigitalSENSE in ensuring that Nigerians are not left out in
playing active role in Internet economy.
Meanwhile, the AfriCANN multi-stakeholders meeting in Addis,
ended weekend with ICANN reiterating resolve to wholly grow Africa accredited
registrars from current five to 25 before the end of 2014.
DigitalSENSE Business News, gathered that ICANN President,
Mr. Fadi Chehadé was at the meeting and told participants in his address that they
should expect new season at ICANN, insisting that Africa has a key role to
play.
ICANN, the CEO said, is willing to work hard with partners
on the continent to grow the number of accredited registrars from the present five
to 25 in the next 18 months.
“We will sit with the ICT industry and understand what we
can do to make the Registrar Accreditation Agreement more Africa-friendly. It
may take partnerships with banks and the insurance industry," he said.
ICANN, he noted has identified training, policy engagement,
partnerships, incubation and entrepreneurship as the key areas in implementing
its Africa strategy, reports ITWorld.com.
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Ms Tope Ogundipe of PIN, Chris Uwaje of ISPON, chairman, Dr Chris
Nwannenna, speaking,
Executive Director, Operations, DigitalSENSE Africa, Mrs. Nkem Nweke, Vice President, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), Destiny Amana and Netpreneur, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr (CFA) at the Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum on Internet Governance for Development 2013, held at Welcome Centre & Hotels, Lagos, March 7-8. |
In emphasizing the aforementioned strategy which was
unveiled last August, he assured that ICANN will improve Africa's participation
within the Internet's governing body.
Chehade noted that in order to make this reality, ICANN has
to change, from being America-centric, because the Internet has its history in
the United States, maintaining that “… Now, all of us own the Internet and have
a role to play in Internet growth."
Also, he said that ICANN global operations will be offered
from three hubs, namely Los Angeles, Istanbul and Singapore, to ensure adequate
coverage of the major time zones.
Chehade explained that the Istanbul office, for instance,
will have an Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) liaison, who will be
African and will understand African issues, stressing that several African
countries are still struggling with management of country code Top Level
Domains (ccTLDs).
"We need more money and resources in Africa; we will
partner with existing organizations," he declared, adding that these
include but not limited to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU),
Africa Telecommunications Union (ATU), Internet Society (ISOC), AfriNIC and African
Union.
According to him, the ICANN representative to be located in
Indian Ocean would be strategically stationed at AfriNIC offices in Mauritius.
ICANN has arranged to hold DNS Security Extension (DNSSEC)
workshops in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt and
South Africa.
A major challenge facing Africa, he noted, has been lack of
development in the Domain Name System (DNS) business, with many people in the
region depending on international companies and services.
He emphasised that by working with local businesses to
promote growth in the DNS industry will also promote employment and business
growth in the region.
Remmy Nweke/DSBNews
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