African technology company Gebeya has entered into a strategic partnership with European domain registrar InterNetX in a move aimed at improving access to website domains for entrepreneurs and businesses across Africa.
The collaboration seeks to address one of the long standing barriers to digital growth on the continent: the low rate of domain ownership among African entrepreneurs and small businesses. Despite the rapid expansion of Africa’s digital economy, many startups and online businesses still operate without dedicated domain names due to financial and technical barriers.
Through the partnership, Gebeya will integrate domain registration services from InterNetX into its digital ecosystem. This will allow African entrepreneurs, startups and developers to purchase and manage website domains more easily through local platforms without the typical challenges associated with international payment systems.
Many African entrepreneurs face difficulties registering domain names because most global domain providers require international credit cards or payments in foreign currencies such as the US dollar or euro. These requirements can create obstacles for small businesses and individuals operating in local markets where access to international payment systems is limited.
The partnership aims to eliminate some of these barriers by enabling domain purchases through locally accessible channels integrated into the services offered by Gebeya. By simplifying the process, the companies hope to encourage more businesses to establish a formal online presence and participate more fully in the digital economy.
InterNetX is one of Europe’s leading domain registrars and operates as part of the IONOS Group. The company manages millions of domain registrations worldwide and provides infrastructure that supports domain management, web hosting and internet services for businesses across multiple regions.
By partnering with a major European registrar, Gebeya aims to leverage global domain infrastructure while building solutions that meet the specific needs of African markets. The integration will allow users to register domains under a wide range of global domain extensions while managing them through simplified platforms.
Executives involved in the project say the initiative is particularly important for startups and small businesses seeking to build credibility online. Owning a dedicated domain name allows companies to establish branded websites, professional email addresses and digital storefronts, which are essential for modern business operations.
The partnership also supports the broader mission of Gebeya to strengthen Africa’s digital workforce and technological ecosystem. The company is known for its focus on digital talent development, artificial intelligence training and technology services aimed at accelerating innovation across the continent.
Industry observers note that increasing domain ownership could play a key role in Africa’s digital transformation. A strong online presence enables businesses to reach customers globally, participate in e commerce and build stronger brand identities. However, domain penetration across Africa remains significantly lower than in North America, Europe and parts of Asia.
Experts argue that improving access to domain registration is one of the foundational steps toward expanding Africa’s digital economy. When entrepreneurs are able to secure domain names more easily, they are more likely to invest in websites, digital marketing and online services that help their businesses scale.
The collaboration between Gebeya and InterNetX is therefore seen as part of a broader effort to remove structural barriers that prevent African entrepreneurs from participating fully in global digital markets.
As Africa’s internet economy continues to expand, initiatives that improve access to digital infrastructure are expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping the continent’s technology landscape. Simplifying domain registration could open the door for thousands of startups and small businesses to establish a stronger digital footprint.
For African entrepreneurs seeking to build online businesses, the partnership represents a step toward making the internet more accessible, affordable and practical as a platform for growth and innovation.
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