Disruption in the Digital World Bob Ochieng CTO - Maputo September 12th 2017

What is ICANN? The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is a global multistakeholder, private sector-led organization that manages Internet resources for the public benefit ICANN coordinates the top-level of the Internet's system of unique identifiers via global, multistakeholder, bottom-up consensus policy processes, with the outcome of those processes implemented via the IANA Functions.

ICANN Ecosystem Suggested Talking Points: ICANN is an ecosystem made up of three components: the ICANN community, the ICANN Board of Directors and the ICANN organization. The ICANN Board reviews and adopts those policies, directs the ICANN organization to implement them, and oversees the performance of the organization. This distribution and decentralization of power and responsibility works with a strong system of checks and balances, as we hold each other accountable.

The Internet has disrupted Regulation covers the: political, legal, economic, socio-cultural, technological and other dimensions of the of the Internet.

A Closer Look at Africa

Continental shift in Africa Africa is going digital. Be it mobile money transactions, Uber-style delivery services, or e-commerce platforms, countless African examples can be found where consumers and businesses are benefiting from the digital economy. In five of the continent’s largest countries – Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa and Morocco – Internet penetration is now close to the global average. With examples like these, it’s not hard to imagine Africa’s future being digital.

Africa DNS Market Study -2016 A very diverse region Income, literacy, language, culture, development, infrastructure, all vary widely Lagging in Internet access Africa: 28.9% average, rest of world 54.2% 1% to 80% penetration by country High cost of internet access For only 500 MB of monthly data the average African pays 15% of income versus 1% for the average European Few local hosting facilities The majority of access is via smartphones Result: low demand for domain names

Infrastructure Weighted 3/6 "e-Friction" describes the factors holding back the further development of the Internet economy Industry Weighted 1/6 Frictions holding back companies from adopting the Internet Frictions reducing opportunities to access the Internet Infrastructure Weighted 3/6 Individual Weighted 1/6 Information Weighted 1/6 Frictions deterring consumers from online activity Frictions related to the availability of content Source: BCG e-Friction model

The Internet economy is not frictionless A practical example "Is there network coverage?" "Do I have an access device?" "How much is this going to cost me?" "No connectivity ….." "I don't speak English!" "Will my bid go through in time?" "Can I trust Online payments?" "Can it be delivered here?"

For Africa to Catch Up? More widespread Internet infrastructure, more affordable services, relevant local digital content, and higher digital literacy skills. Significant and lasting investments are needed to deliver the Internet for all Africans. Some may baulk at the magnitudes involved, but government leaders should ask themselves what the costs of inaction are. Successful countries have taken a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder approach to addressing these challenges.

Rest Stop - 1st Inning Stretch!!! Short deep breaths! - move from GSE to Nigel but GSE team stays…