The Domain Name System (DNS) is global, but many of the improvements that make it more secure begin locally. Each country and operator faces their own operational, technical, and policy challenges. Sustained collaboration among Internet operators, registries, regulators, technical communities, civil society, and ICANN helps turn global standards into changes that respond to local needs.
DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) are one important part of this work. They help ensure that users receive authentic DNS information and help protect against certain attacks that manipulate DNS responses. Although DNSSEC is a global standard, successful deployment depends on local expertise, sustained collaboration, and effective implementation.
Across the Middle East and Africa, ICANN's Technical Engagement team works with operators, registries, regulators, and technical communities to strengthen DNS security and implement operational best practices. Together with ICANN's other regional engagement teams, the Office of the Chief Technology Officer, ICANN's Technical Engagement team helps stakeholders apply global technical knowledge in ways that reflect local conditions. Webinars, workshops, hands-on training, and follow-up support provided by ICANN have helped organizations make lasting operational changes.
Nigeria offers a strong example of what sustained collaboration can achieve. After a December 2024 webinar with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) focused on improving DNSSEC validation in the country, ICANN continued working with NCC through targeted engagements and follow-up support. Today, Nigeria's DNSSEC validation rate is approaching 60 percent, above the regional average. Mobile Telephone Network (MTN) Nigeria's deployment of DNSSEC validation across its resolver infrastructure has contributed significantly to this progress. Given the size of Nigeria's Internet market, this is an important step toward improving DNS security for millions of users.
Progress has also extended beyond validation. Through the Coalition for Digital Africa's DNSSEC Roadshows initiative, the Nigeria Internet Registration Association signed the .ng zone. This strengthened the security of Nigeria's national namespace and created a foundation for wider DNSSEC adoption in the country.
Ghana provides another strong example. Through long-term collaboration with ICANN, MTN Ghana enabled DNSSEC validation across its resolver infrastructure, contributing to an increase in Ghana's national validation rate from approximately 20 percent to 98 percent. MTN Ghana also adopted the Knowledge-Sharing and Instantiation Norms for DNS and Naming Security (KINDNS) framework and became an official KINDNS participant. It has since regularly shared its implementation experience with peers at regional technical events, extending the value of this framework beyond its own network and strengthening technical capacity across the region. Other organizations, including Rwanda Internet Community and Technology Alliance, the African Network Information Centre, and Too Much Wifi in South Africa, have also joined KINDNS.
The same locally informed approach is supporting progress in Jordan. Since September 2025, ICANN has worked with the country's financial-sector regulator, the Central Bank of Jordan, through webinars, individualized technical support, and in-person training. This work has strengthened DNS security awareness and practices within the financial sector and contributed to renewed momentum toward signing the .jo country code top-level domain with DNSSEC.
In Oman, ICANN has also collaborated with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) to build technical capacity among fresh graduates and women in ICT. Through training on DNS operations and Universal Acceptance (UA), these efforts are helping to broaden participation in the technical community and strengthen local expertise.
ICANN is carrying out similar work with stakeholders in countries across the region. Each engagement responds to different local priorities, but all share the same objective: helping stakeholders strengthen the security, stability, and resilience of the DNS through sustained collaboration and long-term capacity-building.
These collaborative efforts are contributing to measurable progress across the region. Over the past five years, DNSSEC validation in Africa has increased by more than 140 percent and now stands at 53 percent. Building on this progress, ICANN is also working with DNS operators to prepare for the root zone key signing key rollover on 11 October 2026. Through webinars, technical presentations, direct outreach, and one-on-one support, ICANN is encouraging operators to verify that their recursive resolvers are ready.
These examples show how ICANN's technical support, combined with local ownership and sustained collaboration, can produce lasting improvements in DNS security. Higher DNSSEC validation rates, the signing of country code top-level domains, wider adoption of operational best practices, and greater peer learning are strengthening the resilience of the DNS and helping build a more secure and resilient Internet across the Middle East and Africa.
