Domain Summit Africa 2026 - 23/24 Feb 2026 - Villa Rosa Kempinski, Nairobi, Kenya

[HelmutsHelmuts is verified member.]

This thread is for the general discussion of the Domain Summit Africa 2026 - 23/24 Feb 2026 - Villa Rosa Kempinski, Nairobi, Kenya. Please add to the discussion here.

23–24 February 2026 (Main Event)

 

[HelmutsHelmuts is verified member.]

Domain Summit Africa 2026: first floor plan draft (v1)

Here is the first draft of our floor plan for Domain Summit Africa 2026, taking place Feb 23–24, 2026 at Villa Rosa Kempinski, Nairobi (Kenya).
Home host: KeNIC (.KE)

A few exhibitor spaces are currently marked as reserved for companies that KeNIC and we started conversations with earlier (including Sedo, SONIC, and others). These are pending final confirmation from the companies and or KeNIC.

Global Partners will have dedicated meeting rooms:
• Team Internet
• it.com Domains Ltd
• Site.pro (AI Website Builder & ERP)
• Freename

Registration is open:

Domain Summit Africa 2026

📅 22 February 2026 - private KeNIC office tour and networking drinks evening at Villa Rosa…

nairobi2026.domainsummit.africa

Contacts
• Logistics & organization: [email protected] (Felistus Muli)
• Sponsorship enquiries: [email protected] (Helmuts Meskonis)

 

[Arko]

Great to see the floor plan coming together, Helmuts! The presence of major partners like Sedo and Team Internet confirms that 2026 is going to be a massive year for the industry.
Quick question: Given the huge surge in AI startup interest lately, will there be a specific session or networking zone focused on AI Brandable Assets? Looking forward to the updates!

 

[HelmutsHelmuts is verified member.]

Quick question: Given the huge surge in AI startup interest lately, will there be a specific session or networking zone focused on AI Brandable Assets?

Great suggestion!

Currently we are working on getting 3 core discussion panels formed:
1) Securing your TLD - the moderator is already approved = the Founder and CSO of .ua registry (Ukraine is on the very frontline of cybewar today, and this is the best possible moderator for such a session)
2) Registrar panel on selling African ccTLD domains
3) African hosting discussion panel

ai brandable assets are quite far from the domain industry.. or, am I missing some viewpoint?

 

[Arko]

Interesting perspective, Helmuts. However, I’d argue that brandable assets are actually the primary bridge between the domain industry and the end-user market.

While TLD infrastructure and registrar panels are the 'pipes' of our industry, brandables are the 'liquid gold' that flows through them. In the current 2026 landscape, venture-backed startups in AI and Fintech are moving away from long, descriptive keywords toward short, abstract identities that can be trademarked globally.

If we ignore the 'Brand Identity' side of domaining, we’re missing the very reason why end-users are willing to pay 5 or 6-figure sums. It’s not just about the extension anymore; it’s about the brand equity. I believe a discussion on how these 'abstract' assets are outperforming traditional keywords in ROI would be highly relevant to the Summit's audience.

 

[HelmutsHelmuts is verified member.]

.. apologies.. you got me totally lost here

brandable domains and domain investors:
1) brandable domain names are a huge part for most domain name investors.
2) domain investors are probably the best customers for domain name registrars

Brand identity is a huge topic in our industry, 10000000%. And, I continue inviting brand protection companies (Abion, CSC, Com Laude and more..) to attend the Domain Summit in Africa. For these companies to attend - they want to see few big brands (potential clients) attending an event. And once registered - of course, brand protection companies do great presentations/sessions. Almost all the main global brand protection companies were represented in London last year - we will see if they decide there is a business for them at our 1st African Summit.

.. and, the more domain registrars and brand protection companies (mostly always registrars, as well) register for an event - the more serious domain investors will attend it as well.

Brand Protection companies for sure are the key figures through which a domain investor can reach most corporations to sell their domains.

.. from my experience, it is usually about seriously upgrading the domain name when those big sales happen.

Currently the Domain Summit Africa 2026 mostly is putting together ccTLD registries with registrars (co ccTLDs can get more registrations), and professional domain investors with registrars so they meet in person and agree on their own special deals.. and, probably, few businesses will be bought/sold and conversations done in this niche

are you coming?

 

[Arko]

Haha, apologies for the deep dive, Helmuts! I just believe we're shifting from 'keyword-driven' to 'identity-driven' assets, especially with the 2026 AI boom.
You're spot on about brand protection—it's the biggest driver for the secondary market. Regarding the Domain Summit Africa, I'm currently evaluating my 2026 schedule and logistics. It sounds like an incredible venue to connect with those brand protection firms you mentioned.
Even if I can't make it physically, I'd love to explore ways to get my premium 5-letter portfolio like Vylmo.com in front of those corporate buyers. Keep up the great work with the organization!