8.7M
.ZA
South Africa
649K
.MA
Morocco
584K
.NG
Nigeria
549K
.KE
Kenya
188K
.LY
Libya
113K
.TZ
Tanzania
110K
.ZW
Zimbabwe
96K
.TN
Tunisia
83K
.UG
Uganda
79K
.AO
Angola
African ccTLDs: Ranking, Benefits & Strategies for Local Domains
🔍 Summary:
African ccTLDs offer unique opportunities for localization and market penetration across the continent's 54 countries. South Africa's .za leads with 8.7M domains—representing over 70% of legitimate African ccTLD usage—followed by Morocco's .ma (649K), Nigeria's .ng (584K), and Kenya's .ke (549K). While some domains like .eg (Egypt) require strict local presence, others like .za and .ng are globally accessible. The African domain landscape showcases legitimate business growth, making ccTLD selection crucial for establishing trust and local SEO advantages across African markets.
Africa's digital transformation is accelerating rapidly, with internet penetration growing at double-digit rates across the continent. As businesses recognize the immense potential of African markets—with a total population of over 1.5 billion and some of the world's fastest-growing economies—understanding the landscape of African country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs) has become essential for any serious digital strategy targeting the continent.
Top 10 African ccTLDs by Active Registration Volume (2025)
South Africa's .za dominates the African ccTLD landscape with 8.7 million domains—over 13 times larger than the next biggest ccTLD. Morocco (.ma), Nigeria (.ng), and Kenya (.ke) form the next tier with 500K-650K domains each, representing the continent's major growth markets.
📋 Table of Contents
- 1. Why African Domains Matter in 2025
- 2. The Great African Domain Transformation of 2023
- 3. Top African ccTLDs by Market Significance
- 4. Benefits of Major African ccTLDs
- 5. Special Registration Requirements
- 6. Choosing Your African Domain Strategy
- 7. Step-by-Step Implementation Guide
- 8. Cost Considerations and Budgeting
- 9. Future Trends in African Domains
- 10. Conclusion and Next Steps
1. Why African Domains Matter in 2025
Africa represents the world's fastest-growing internet market, with mobile internet adoption rates exceeding 15% annually in key markets like Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana. Unlike mature markets where generic domains dominate, African internet users show strong preference for local ccTLDs, particularly in francophone and anglophone markets where local identity plays a crucial role in online trust.
Key Insight: African consumers are 4x more likely to trust and engage with websites using their country's ccTLD compared to generic domains, according to recent digital behavior studies across major African markets.
The African domain landscape is characterized by several unique factors that make ccTLD strategy critical:
- Mobile-First Market: Over 80% of African internet access is mobile, making local domain trust signals even more important
- Language Diversity: With over 2,000 languages and multiple colonial language influences, localization through domains is essential
- Economic Growth: Six of the world's ten fastest-growing economies are in Africa, creating new digital opportunities
- Payment Localization: Local domains often indicate local payment methods and currency support
- Government Preference: Many African governments prefer or require local domains for certain business activities
2. The Great African Domain Transformation of 2023
The African domain landscape underwent a dramatic transformation in 2023 that fundamentally changed the ccTLD rankings and legitimacy. For years, four African ccTLDs—.ga (Gabon), .cf (Central African Republic), .ml (Mali), and .gq (Equatorial Guinea)—dominated global statistics with millions of free domain registrations through Freenom.
The Freenom Cleanup: In 2023, over 99.99% of .ga domains were removed when Gabon terminated its contract with Freenom due to massive abuse. Similar cleanups affected .ml, .cf, and .gq, removing millions of spam and inactive domains from the African domain space.
This transformation revealed the true, legitimate African domain market:
- South Africa (.za) emerged as the clear leader with over 1.5 million active domains
- Nigeria (.ng) showed strong growth in business registrations with 133,000 domains
- Morocco (.ma) and Kenya (.ke) demonstrated robust local adoption
- Regional leaders like Tunisia (.tn) and Egypt (.eg) showed concentrated usage in specific sectors
The cleanup eliminated the artificial inflation that had skewed African domain statistics for nearly a decade, creating a more accurate picture of legitimate business usage across the continent.
3. Top African ccTLDs by Market Significance
Understanding the hierarchy of African ccTLDs requires looking beyond raw numbers to consider economic significance, business adoption, and growth potential. Here's the comprehensive breakdown:
| Rank | ccTLD | Country | Active Domains | Market Penetration | Business Adoption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | .za | South Africa | ~8.7 million | 145 per 1000 people | Very High |
| 2 | .ma | Morocco | ~649,000 | 18 per 1000 people | Moderate |
| 3 | .ng | Nigeria | ~584,000 | 2.7 per 1000 people | High Growth |
| 4 | .ke | Kenya | ~549,000 | 10 per 1000 people | High Growth |
| 5 | .ly | Libya | ~188,000 | 27 per 1000 people | Specialized |
🇿🇦South Africa (.za)
Africa's digital powerhouse with the continent's most mature domain market. .za dominates with nearly 9 million domains, representing over 80% of all African ccTLD registrations.
8.7M domains
🇲🇦Morocco (.ma)
North Africa's gateway and francophone leader. Strong business adoption with nearly 650,000 domains, making it the second-largest African ccTLD market.
649K domains
🇳🇬Nigeria (.ng)
Africa's most populous country and largest economy by GDP. Rapid fintech and e-commerce growth driving strong domain adoption with nearly 600,000 registrations.
584K domains
🇰🇪Kenya (.ke)
East Africa's tech hub and innovation center. High mobile money adoption and vibrant startup ecosystem supporting over 550,000 domain registrations.
549K domains
Other Significant African ccTLDs
Beyond the top markets, several African ccTLDs serve important regional and economic functions:
North Africa: .eg (Egypt, financial sector) | .dz (Algeria, government) | .ly (Libya, limited access)
East Africa: .ug (Uganda) | .tz (Tanzania) | .et (Ethiopia) | .rw (Rwanda, tech focus)
West Africa: .gh (Ghana) | .sn (Senegal) | .ci (Côte d'Ivoire) | .bj (Benin)
Southern Africa: .bw (Botswana) | .na (Namibia) | .mz (Mozambique) | .zw (Zimbabwe)
Island Nations: .mu (Mauritius, financial) | .sc (Seychelles) | .cv (Cape Verde)
4. Benefits of Major African ccTLDs
4.1 SEO and Local Search Advantages
African search engines and Google's regional versions heavily weight ccTLDs for local search relevance, making them crucial for organic visibility:
Real-World Impact: Websites using African ccTLDs see an average 67% higher ranking for country-specific searches compared to .com domains, with particularly strong effects in markets like South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya.
- Automatic Geotargeting: Search engines immediately associate your site with the target country
- Mobile Search Priority: Critical as most African internet users search primarily on mobile devices
- Local Language Boost: Enhanced relevance for content in local languages (Swahili, Amharic, Arabic, etc.)
- Voice Search Optimization: Growing importance as smart phone adoption increases across Africa
- Government Search Integration: Some African countries prioritize local domains in official directories
4.2 User Trust and Market Credibility
African consumers associate local domains with legitimacy, local support, and cultural understanding:
Trust Indicators
- Local customer service expectations
- Payment in local currencies
- Understanding of local regulations
- Cultural sensitivity in business practices
- Local language support
Business Impact
- 31% higher conversion rates
- 40% lower cart abandonment
- 45% better email engagement
- Improved customer retention
- Higher average order values
4.3 Brand Protection Strategies
Securing your brand across African ccTLDs is essential for comprehensive market protection:
| Protection Level | Domains to Register | Annual Cost Estimate | Markets Covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | .za, .ng, .ke, .ma | $80-150 | 60% of African internet users |
| Comprehensive | + .tn, .eg, .ug, .gh | $200-350 | 80% of African internet users |
| Complete | All major markets | $500-800 | 95% of African internet users |
5. Special Registration Requirements
African ccTLDs vary significantly in their registration requirements, from completely open to requiring substantial local presence. Understanding these requirements is crucial for planning your domain strategy:
🔴 Strict Requirements
.eg (Egypt)
- Requires Egyptian presence and legal documentation
- Valid trademark registered in Egypt mandatory
- Local company registration and Egyptian tax ID required
- Solution: Establish Egyptian subsidiary or register trademark
.gn (Guinea)
- Extremely strict: only one domain per organization
- Real presence in Guinea required
- Must demonstrate "intent to use" regularly
- Solution: Local partner or subsidiary essential
🟡 Moderate Requirements
.tn (Tunisia)
- Tunisian national/entity or foreign company with local trademark
- Domain name must correspond to company/brand name
- Trustee services available for foreign businesses
- Solution: Register Tunisian trademark or use proxy service
.cv (Cape Verde)
- Commercial presence or trademark in Cape Verde required
- Domain must match company or trademark name
- Tax ID numbers required in application
- Solution: Business registration or trademark filing needed
.gh (Ghana)
- Local administrative contact required
- Business registration or trademark proof needed
- Trustee services available through registrars
- Solution: Use registrar's local presence service
.zm (Zambia)
- Local contact name, address, and phone required
- No trademark requirement but local connection needed
- Registrar trustee services available
- Solution: Registrar can provide local contact service
🟢 Open Registration
.za, .ng, .ke, .ma, .ug, .zw, .mu, .bw, .na, .mz, .dz
- No residency or presence requirements
- Open to global registrations
- Standard online registration process
- Instant activation in most cases
- Note: Some may have restrictions on certain terms or require local admin contacts
Summary: Registration Requirements by Restriction Level
| Requirement Level | ccTLDs | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Strict | .eg, .gn | Local presence/citizenship mandatory |
| Moderate | .tn, .cv, .gh, .zm | Local contact or trademark needed |
| Open | Most others | No special requirements |
6. Choosing Your African Domain Strategy
Your African domain strategy should align with your business objectives, target markets, and expansion timeline. Here's a strategic framework:
Strategic Options Analysis
| Strategy | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Market Focus One primary ccTLD |
Startups, SMEs targeting specific country | Low cost, focused localization, strong local presence | Limited expansion flexibility, no brand protection |
| Regional Approach 2-3 ccTLDs by region |
Mid-size businesses, regional expansion | Balanced cost/coverage, manageable complexity | May miss key markets, partial protection |
| Multi-Market Strategy 5+ major ccTLDs |
Large enterprises, pan-African operations | Maximum local trust, comprehensive SEO | Higher costs, complex management |
| Hybrid Model .com + key ccTLDs |
Growing businesses, international brands | Global consistency, local optimization | Moderate complexity and investment |
Recommendation: Most businesses benefit from starting with the "Big 4" African ccTLDs (.za, .ng, .ke, .ma) which cover approximately 60% of Africa's internet users and major economic centers, then expanding based on business growth and market opportunities.
7. Step-by-Step Implementation Guide
1Phase 1: Market Research (Week 1-2)
- Target Market Analysis
- Identify top 3-5 African markets by business potential
- Research local competition and domain usage patterns
- Analyze local search behavior and language preferences
- Domain Availability Assessment
- Check brand availability across target ccTLDs
- Research trademark conflicts in target countries
- Identify alternative options if primary choice unavailable
2Phase 2: Strategic Registration (Week 3-4)
- Priority Registration
- Register domains in order of market importance
- Secure defensive registrations for brand protection
- Consider bulk registration discounts
- Technical Configuration
- Set up DNS and hosting infrastructure
- Configure SSL certificates for all domains
- Implement proper redirect strategies
3Phase 3: Localization (Month 2-3)
- Content Adaptation
- Translate and culturally adapt content
- Implement proper hreflang markup
- Localize contact information and currencies
- Local SEO Implementation
- Submit to local search engines and directories
- Create country-specific Google Business profiles
- Build local backlinks and citations
8. Cost Considerations and Budgeting
Understanding the total cost of ownership for African domains helps with accurate budgeting. Here are current market rates:
| ccTLD | Registration (Annual) | Renewal (Annual) | Transfer | Special Requirements Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .za (South Africa) | $15-25 | $15-25 | $15-25 | None |
| .ng (Nigeria) | $20-30 | $20-30 | $20-30 | None |
| .ke (Kenya) | $25-35 | $25-35 | $25-35 | None |
| .ma (Morocco) | $30-40 | $30-40 | $30-40 | None |
| .tn (Tunisia) | $40-60 | $40-60 | $40-60 | Trustee: $50-100/year |
| .eg (Egypt) | $60-100 | $60-100 | $60-100 | Trademark/subsidiary required |
| .mu (Mauritius) | $35-50 | $35-50 | $35-50 | None |
| .ug (Uganda) | $30-45 | $30-45 | $30-45 | None |
| .gh (Ghana) | $40-55 | $40-55 | $40-55 | Local contact: $25-50/year |
| .na (Namibia) | $150-300 | $150-300 | $150-300 | Premium pricing |
Budget Planning Scenarios
| Package | Domains Included | Annual Cost | 5-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential (4 domains) | .za, .ng, .ke, .ma | $90-130 | $450-650 |
| Regional (8 domains) | .tn, .ug, .mu, .gh | $235-370 | $1,175-1,850 |
| Comprehensive (15 domains) | Major African markets | $500-800 | $2,500-4,000 |
Additional Investment Considerations:
- Trustee/proxy services for restricted domains: $25-100/year per domain
- Premium domain acquisitions: $1,000-25,000+ for existing domains
- Local hosting in African data centers: $50-200/month
- Professional translation services: $0.08-0.20 per word
- Local SEO and marketing setup: $1,000-5,000 per market
9. Future Trends in African Domains
The African domain landscape is evolving rapidly alongside the continent's digital transformation. Key trends shaping the future:
📱 Mobile-First Innovation
With Africa leading global mobile adoption, domain strategies must prioritize mobile user experience and mobile payment integration.
🌍 Pan-African Integration
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is driving demand for multi-country domain strategies and regional approaches.
💰 Fintech Revolution
Rapid growth in mobile money and fintech is making local domains essential for payment processor integration and regulatory compliance.
🏛️ Government Digitalization
Increased government digital services are creating new requirements and preferences for local domain usage in business applications.
2025 Outlook: We project 25-40% annual growth in business-focused African ccTLD registrations, driven by increasing e-commerce adoption, fintech expansion, and government digitalization initiatives across major African economies.
10. Conclusion and Next Steps
African ccTLDs represent more than digital addresses—they're gateways to the world's fastest-growing consumer markets and emerging economies. The 2023 domain landscape cleanup revealed the authentic, business-focused growth happening across African digital markets, making ccTLD selection more important than ever for serious market entry.
The strategic advantages are compelling:
- Exceptional local SEO benefits in high-growth mobile-first markets
- Significantly increased trust and conversion rates from African consumers
- Essential brand protection across diverse and expanding markets
- Regulatory compliance signaling for government and enterprise contracts
- Future-proofing for Africa's projected digital expansion
Whether you're entering your first African market or expanding across the continent, the right domain strategy can determine your success in establishing local credibility and capturing market share in these high-opportunity economies.
Your Strategic Action Plan:
- Research: Identify your top 3-5 African target markets
- Secure: Register ccTLDs for priority markets immediately
- Protect: Implement defensive registrations for brand protection
- Localize: Adapt content and user experience for each market
- Scale: Expand domain portfolio based on business growth
- Monitor: Track performance and emerging market opportunities
Ready to Establish Your African Digital Presence?
Start building your position in Africa's high-growth digital markets with comprehensive ccTLD coverage across the continent's key economies.
Explore African DomainsSuccess in African markets requires understanding that your domain choice is often the first signal of your commitment to local markets. In economies where trust and local presence matter more than price, the right ccTLD strategy can be the difference between being seen as a foreign company and being welcomed as a trusted local partner.
Quick access to popular African ccTLDs: .za | .ng | .ke | .ma | .tn | .eg | .ug
References
- Coalition for Digital Africa - Key Findings From The 2023 Study: Unlocking Growth, The Future of Africa's Domain Name Industry. https://coalitionfordigitalafrica.africa/highlight-series/unlocking_growth_the_future_of_africas_domain_name_industry
- Netcraft - Impact of Freenom halting registrations on cybercrime. https://www.netcraft.com/blog/impact-of-freenom-halting-registrations-on-cybercrime
- Netcraft - Cloudflare loses 22% of its domains in Freenom .tk shutdown. https://www.netcraft.com/blog/cloudflare-loses-22-of-its-domains-in-freenom-tk-shutdown
- Domain Incite - .ga domain analysis and registry updates. https://domainincite.com/tag/ga
- ZADNA (South African Domain Name Authority) - Domain registration statistics and market reports. https://www.zadna.org.za
- Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) - .ng domain registration statistics. https://nira.org.ng
- Kenya Network Information Centre (KeNIC) - Kenya domain industry reports. https://www.kenic.or.ke
- ANRT Morocco - Moroccan domain statistics and registry information. https://www.anrt.ma
- Agence Tunisienne d'Internet (ATI) - Tunisia domain registration guidelines. https://www.ati.tn
- Domains Project - Registered domains by extension. https://domainsproject.org/STATS.html
By Steven White
