Capacity Development for ccTLDs: A Recap of the Coalition for Digital Africa’s Technical Training Workshop in Nairobi.

As part of the ccTLD Capacity Building Initiative under the Coalition for Digital Africa, Africa Top Level Domains Organization (AfTLD) hosted a technical training workshop in partnership with the Network Start-up Resource Center (NSRC) at the African Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute (AFRALTI) in Nairobi from 15^th to 18^th July 2024 and a one-day learning visit on 19^th July.

The training was attended by 27 in-person participants of which 18 were drawn from 9 ccTLDs from Africa which are; Angola (.ao), Benin (.bj), Burundi (.bi), Comoros (.km), The Gambia (.gm), Madagascar (.mg), Niger (.ne), Togo (.tg) and Zimbabwe (.zw).

Strengthening Technical Capacity

The primary focus of the workshop was to enhance the technical skills of participants, providing them with the necessary knowledge and technical skills to manage and secure their country’s top-level domains (ccTLDs). This initiative aligns with AfTLD’s mission to support the development and stability of Africa’s internet ecosystem, ensuring that it remains robust and resilient in the face of evolving challenges.

Key Training Areas

The training covered a broad spectrum of topics essential for the effective management of ccTLDs. These included:

• Refresher- UNIX commands
• DNS ecosystem and registry architecture.
• Forward zone and reverse zone configuration and delegation
• DNS software
• DNS security and resilience
• DNS operations, debugging and troubleshooting

The participants also had the opportunity to engage in a one-day learning visit, on the 19^th of July, 2024 to the Kenya Network Information Centre (KENIC) and the Africa Data Center. This visit was organized to provide participants with practical insights regarding ccTLD operations.

KENIC Visit

At KENIC, participants were given a detailed presentation about the ccTLD, a comprehensive tour of the facilities, and an overview of the organization’s role in managing Kenya’s ccTLD (.ke). They also had the opportunity to interact with KENIC staff, ask questions, and discuss best practices in ccTLD management.

Africa Data Center Visit

The visit to the Africa Data Center provided participants with firsthand experience of a data center facility. Participants were introduced to the data centre’s infrastructure which included demonstrations of data center operations, such as server management, data storage solutions, and network security protocols.

Feedback and Future Plans

Participants expressed high satisfaction with the workshop, praising the depth and relevance of the content, as well as the expertise of the trainers. Many noted that the skills and knowledge gained would significantly enhance their ability to manage their respective ccTLDs more effectively. They also proposed to have more sessions on DNSSEC, Ipv6, and Cyber Security in order to better their understanding of these crucial areas which will also enhance the overall effectiveness of the training.

Building on the success of this workshop, AfTLD is committed to continuing with plans for additional training sessions, mentorship for the participants and capacity-building initiatives across the continent. These efforts are crucial in ensuring that Africa’s internet infrastructure remains secure, reliable, and capable of supporting the region’s digital growth and innovation.

As we look to the future, the knowledge and skills imparted in this workshop will undoubtedly contribute to a more connected and prosperous Africa.