What Kenya Network Information Centre does

Kenya Network Information Centre (KeNIC) is the sole licensed registry operator for Kenya's .KE country code top-level domain (ccTLD), established as a public-private partnership and structured as a company limited by guarantee under Kenyan law. Headquartered in Nairobi with server infrastructure hosted at the East Africa Data Centre (delivering 99.99% uptime), KeNIC administers nine top-level extensions (.ke, .co.ke, .or.ke, .ne.ke, .go.ke, .me.ke, .mobi.ke, .info.ke, .sc.ke, .ac.ke) and reached approximately 128,929 registered domains distributed through a network of 537 licensed registrars. The organization does not sell directly to end users; instead it accredits registrars, sets pricing, enforces policy, and operates technical infrastructure.

KeNIC's technology stack centers on DNS and DNSSEC infrastructure for the .KE namespace, including a WHOIS lookup database, an Alternate Dispute Resolution policy for domain conflicts, and a second-level domain platform (launched May 2017) allowing short .KE registrations such as name.ke. DNSSEC was implemented in 2018, making KeNIC the third registry in Africa to deploy the standard after South Africa and Tanzania. Supporting products include a domain statistics dashboard, registrar accreditation program, annual registrar awards, ccTLD management training, and major convening events such as the Africa DNS Forum.

Revenue is generated through three streams: transaction fees on domain registrations and renewals charged to accredited registrars on a declining-balance basis, an annual registrar membership fee of Ksh 5,000, and facilitation of licensing through the Communications Authority of Kenya. KeNIC supplements self-generated revenue with institutional funding, including a USD 500,000 grant from ICANN in May 2025. Customers span Kenyan commercial businesses (primary segment via .co.ke), NGOs (.or.ke), government entities (.go.ke), educational institutions (.ac.ke and .sc.ke), network providers (.ne.ke), individuals (.me.ke), and mobile/information services.

Name

Kenya Network Information Centre

Legal name

Kenya Network Information Centre

Website

https://kenic.or.ke

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kenya Network Information Centre (KeNIC) is the sole licensed registry for Kenya's .KE country code top-level domain, managing nine extensions and ~128,929 domains through 537 accredited registrars, with related DNSSEC, WHOIS, and dispute resolution services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Domain Name Registry (ccTLD)

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518)

akta.pro primary industry

Fraud Prevention & Identity Verification (IDV/KYC) (BPAMAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Data, Evidence & Document Verification (IDV) for KYC (FSAMAMAN), KYC/KYB Identity Verification & Onboarding (FSADALAA)

Keywords

• Domain name registry
• CcTLD management
• DNS infrastructure
• Domain registration services
• DNSSEC security

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Domain Registration and Renewal Fees: Transaction fees charged to accredited registrars for domain registration and renewal. Fees are deducted on a declining-balance basis from registrar accounts.
2. Registrar Annual Membership: Annual membership fee charged to accredited registrars. KeNIC registrars must pay annual fees to maintain their accreditation status.
3. Licensing Fees: Registrars must obtain licensing from Communications Authority of Kenya. KeNIC facilitates the recommendation letter process for CA licensing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kenya Network Information Centre operates the registry for Kenya's .KE country code top-level domain (ccTLD), administering domain name registrations across 10 extensions (.ke, .co.ke, .or.ke, .ne.ke, .go.ke, .me.ke, .mobi.ke, .info.ke, .sc.ke, .ac.ke). KeNIC licenses accredited registrars who sell .KE domains to end customers, and provides supporting registry services including WHOIS lookup, DNSSEC security, Alternate Dispute Resolution policy, and domain statistics.

Product overview

Kenya Network Information Centre (KeNIC) operates as a domain name registry managing Kenya's country code top-level domain (.KE ccTLD). The company's product portfolio centers on domain name registration services through two primary domain tiers: Second Level Domains (e.g., name.ke) allowing one-name registration, and Third Level Domains organized by sector extension (.co.ke for commercial, .or.ke for NGOs, .go.ke for government, .ac.ke for higher education, .sc.ke for schools, .ne.ke for networks, .me.ke for personal, .mobi.ke for mobile, .info.ke for information). Supporting services include DNSSEC security extensions, WHOIS lookup, Alternate Dispute Resolution policy, Registrar Accreditation Program for licensing domain sellers, real-time Domain Statistics Dashboard, Kenya DNS Forum annual events, and Annual Registrar Awards recognizing top performers. KeNIC does not directly sell to end users but operates through a network of accredited registrars who handle registration, renewals, and transfers to registrants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• .KE Second Level Domain Premium second level domain registration immediately following .KE (e.g., name.ke), offering one-name format registration for unique and catchy domain names. Sold through accredited registrars.
• .co.ke Domain Third level domain for e-commerce sites, retail businesses, and commercial ventures requiring local Kenyan online presence and SEO benefits.
• .or.ke Domain Third level domain for Not-for-Profit-Making Organisations and NGOs, suitable for charities, foundations, and community-focused initiatives.
• .ne.ke Domain Third level domain for network-related organizations, internet service providers, networking companies, and technology firms.
• .go.ke Domain Third level domain for Government ministries, departments, and public institutions. Requires supporting documents from ICT Authority.
• .me.ke Domain Third level domain for personal websites, portfolios, or blogs.
• .mobi.ke Domain Third level domain for mobile-friendly websites and applications.
• .info.ke Domain Third level domain for informative or educational websites.
• .sc.ke Domain Third level domain for Lower and Middle Institutes of Learning. Requires Certificate of Registration from Ministry of Education classifying entity as Kindergarten, Primary or Secondary School.
• .ac.ke Domain Third level domain for Institutions of Higher Education including Polytechnics, Technical Institutes, Colleges and Universities. Requires supporting documents.
• Registrar Accreditation Program Program for licensing and accrediting registrars to sell .KE domain names, including application process, compliance requirements, annual membership, and recommendation letter for CA licensing. Targets Kenyan companies wanting to resell .KE domains.
• WHOIS Service Electronic lookup database providing information on registered .KE domain names including registrant details, registration dates, and nameservers.
• DNSSEC Security Service Security extension for DNS that authenticates responses to domain name lookups, preventing cache poisoning and spoofing attacks for .KE domains.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 80% probability of acquiring desired domain names
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NameBlockcoreTechnology or Integration · 10 February 2025Partnership to strengthen domain security and brand protection for .KE domain registrants. Provides abuse shield and brand lock services to protect against domain-related fraud and impersonation.
• ICANNcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers is a nonprofit organization responsible for coordinating the maintenance and procedures of several databases related to the namespaces and numerical spaces of the Internet, ensuring the network's stable and secure operation. KeNIC works with ICANN as the designated registry for .KE ccTLD.
• AFTLDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfrican Top Level Domain is a non-profit organization composed of registry operators in Africa. KeNIC participates in AFTLD activities and forums for African registry collaboration.
• Communications Authority of KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Communications Authority of Kenya is the regulatory authority for the communications sector in Kenya. CA licenses KeNIC as the registry operator for .KE domains and provides regulatory oversight.
• ICT AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe ICT Authority is a State Corporation under the Ministry of Information Communication and Technology, tasked with rationalising and streamlining the management of all Government of Kenya ICT functions.
• Kenya Education Network Trust (KENET)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKENET is the National Research and Education Network (NREN) of Kenya, a not-for-profit membership operator supporting research and education institutions. KENET represents academia on KeNIC's board.
• TESPOKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Technology Service Providers Association of Kenya represents technology service providers, providing a platform for members to voice concerns and engage with regulatory authorities. TESPOK represents technology providers on KeNIC's board.
• AFRALTIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfrican Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute is an Inter-Governmental Organisation established in 1991 to supplement and spearhead ICT development efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa through training, consultancy and research.
• Elimu HoldingsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished in 2008 with a mission to connect every classroom in every school to the world. Elimu Holdings focuses on educational technology and connects schools online through technology.
• Eveminet Communication Solutions LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEveminet offers Online Safety and Digital Well-Being training to children-focused institutions, providing tools and resources to protect youth online experiences.
• GooglecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Google since 2020 to enable .KE business verification on Google platforms, providing improved SEO and wider marketing reach through Google Search for Kenyan businesses.
• East Africa Data CentrecoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for hosting KeNIC's server infrastructure, achieving 99.99% uptime for .KE domain services. The EADC partnership ensures stable and secure domain operations.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KenicTLD
• Facebookfacebook.com/Kenictld
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kenic-tld

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kenya Network Information Centre