[ICANN]<http://www.icann.org/> News Alert https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2014-10-31-en ________________________________ DNS Entrepreneurship Workshop: 'Building a Sustainable Domain Names Business in Africa and the Middle East' 31 October 2014 When: 4-5 November 2014 Where: Cairo Intercontinental City Stars, Cairo, Egypt [Cairo, Egypt]<http://afictasummit2014.org> Background: In our continuous effort to engage with the stakeholders 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. 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<https://www.icann.org/resources/press-material/release-2-2014-06-23-en> 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 Session Keynote Speakers: Hesham El-Alaily, NTRA AfICTA Pierre Dandjinou, ICANN 09:45-10:30 New Internet Extensions - An Opportunity for Growth Speaker: Patrick Jones, ICANN 10:30-11:00 Break 11:00-11:45 Update on Africa and Middle East Regional Strategies Speakers: Pierre Dandjinou and Baher Esmat, ICANN 11:45-12:15 DNS Entrepreneurship Center Speaker: Manal Ismail, NTRA 12:15-13:00 How to become an ICANN Accredited Registrar Speaker: Patrick Jones, ICANN 13:00-14:30 Lunch 14:30-15:15 Insurance market in Africa - and the DNS Industry Speaker: 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 World Moderator: Christine Arida, NTRA Speakers: 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 East Moderator: Pierre Dandjinou, ICANN Speakers: 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 [AfICTA Logo]<http://aficta.org/> [NASK Logo]<http://www.tra.gov.eg/arabic/main.asp> [ICANN Logo]<http://www.tra.gov.eg/arabic/main.asp>