Building Stronger ccTLDs in Portuguese-Speaking Africa

Keeping a country code top-level (ccTLD) domain secure and reliable depends on more than technical systems. It depends on people with the knowledge to manage the Domain Name System (DNS), respond to threats, work with registrars, and improve the services they provide.

That was the focus of a year-long project on Capacity Development for Lusophone ccTLD Registries in Africa between the Lusophone Network Information Center (LusNIC) and ICANN  under the Coalition for Digital Africa. Completed on 31 March 2026, the project supported the teams responsible for .cv, .ao, .st, .gw, and .mz - the ccTLDs of Cabo Verde, Angola, São Tomé and Príncipe, Guinea-Bissau, and Mozambique.

The project reflects the Coalition’s focus on capacity development and stronger DNS infrastructure across Africa. Stronger ccTLD teams support more resilient domain name operations and greater trust in national digital spaces.

Built Around Teams

The project began with a needs assessment involving seven professionals from the five participating ccTLDs. DNS, cybersecurity, and ccTLD operations emerged as priorities, alongside contractual ccTLD compliance, with contractual requirements relating to registrars and registrants, communications, and marketing.

The program delivered four training sessions: one in person in Maputo, Mozambique, and three online. The Maputo session brought together 70 participants, while the four sessions provided a total of  21 hours of training on technical operations, security, and ccTLD management.

The final session included a hands-on exercise, Anatomy of a Leak, based on a realistic data breach scenario. Participants worked through how to identify vulnerabilities, interpret signs of intrusion, and consider appropriate responses. Based on feedback received from trainees, the sessions received ratings ranging from 4.0 to 4.8 out of 5.

Moving the session online allowed the program to continue and reinforced the value of a hybrid model: online sessions support wider participation, while in-person sessions offer more space for exercises and peer exchange.

Participants reported a clearer understanding of the technical, contractual, and administrative processes involved in managing a ccTLD, as well as stronger awareness of operational and security requirements. Based on participant feedback documented in the report, the Portuguese (.pt) model prompted Guinea-Bissau (.gw) to explore new approaches to registrar partnerships, international reach, and operational cost management.Mozambique’s ccTLD team highlighted the program’s contribution to technical and institutional capacity, resilience, and operational efficiency.

The project also strengthened links among Portuguese-speaking African ccTLD teams, LusNIC, .pt trainers, and registrars, creating opportunities to share experience and consider approaches suited to local environments.

Results of the Training and Next Steps

Six technical documents were translated into Portuguese, covering IPv6, DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC), Extensive Protection Platform, and security models. The training section on the LusNIC website has also been expanded to include links to 14 online courses and learning platforms.

These resources help reduce language barriers and allow teams to continue developing their knowledge after the formal sessions have ended.

An important conclusion of the project is that this work should continue. It recommends a regular hybrid training program, learning paths suited to different levels of experience, security labs, and a permanent technical community of practice.

Capacity development is not a one-off activity. It depends on continued learning, updated resources, and opportunities to work through shared challenges together.

The project has ended, but it leaves a stronger base of knowledge, resources, and relationships for the participating ccTLDs to draw on as they respond to evolving technical, security, and operational demands. While this project has concluded, the Coalition will continue its broader capacity development efforts across Africa.

For the Coalition, this is capacity development in action: supporting the people and institutions that operate critical parts of the DNS and help keep the Internet stable, secure, and resilient across the region.

The training materials are available through the LusNIC project area.