Nic.af Review. Was nic.af good or bad on providing Domain Registration services?

📄 Editorial Review

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NIC.AF – Afghanistan’s National Domain Authority Amid Geopolitical Flux

The .af domain, Afghanistan’s country-code top-level domain (ccTLD), carries a complex and politically charged history. Since its initial delegation in 1997, its administration has evolved through multiple phases of national instability, foreign involvement, and shifting regulatory structures. Today, .af is overseen by the Ministry of Communications and IT through the Information System Security Directorate (ISSD), a department tasked with the broader cybersecurity strategy of the Afghan government.

Historical Background and Administration

Originally delegated during the late 1990s under Abdul Razeeq and technically supported by NetNames of London, the .af domain faced operational setbacks following Razeeq’s disappearance. Domain functions resumed officially in 2003 through a UNDP-led partnership with Afghan authorities, allowing for the reactivation of registrations and reestablishment of local control.
Currently, domain oversight falls under AFGNIC, a service connected to the Afghan government. After the fall of Kabul in 2021, governance of .af shifted again, with ICANN choosing to defer decisions to the domestic authorities, effectively placing management back in the hands of the ruling regime. This situation introduces a unique level of uncertainty compared to other national registries.

Governance and Security Framework

The Information System Security Directorate (ISSD), formed in 2009, functions within Afghanistan’s Ministry of Communications and IT. Its purpose is to design, coordinate, and enforce strategies that secure critical information infrastructure across government bodies. It aims to uphold three key principles: confidentiality, integrity, and availability of state-level digital systems—principles extended to the broader management of domain name services.
Despite the ISSD’s formal mission, the prevailing political environment introduces challenges to transparency and continuity, particularly for foreign stakeholders and civil society projects.

Registration Model and Domain Structure

Domain Levels

The .af namespace allows registrations at both second and third levels:

• Second-Level Domains: These include short names like example.af, which are generally open to registration but carry a higher fee structure, especially for international users.
  
• Third-Level Domains: These fall under categorized extensions and are subject to stricter usage policies:
  
  • .gov.af – Government institutions
  • .com.af – Commercial organizations
  • .org.af – NGOs and community initiatives
  • .net.af – Network operators and ISPs
  • .edu.af – Academic institutions
  • .tv.af, .media.af – Broadcast and media entities

Registration at the third level is typically more affordable but may require local verification or documentation, depending on the category.

Access and Restrictions

In 2024, several prominent .af domains such as "broke.af" and "queer.af" were taken offline. Official statements attributed the suspensions to non-payment by registrar Gandi.net, a France-based service provider. However, the sudden removal of these names—many of which carried social or political significance—raised broader concerns around censorship, transparency, and the vulnerability of domain registrants operating under a volatile regime.
For international users, the elevated fee structure combined with the unpredictability of governance may represent a barrier to entry or long-term domain ownership stability.

🎯 Conclusion

NIC.AF operates in a uniquely unstable digital ecosystem shaped by shifting power structures and limited international oversight. Although the technical infrastructure for .af domain registration is in place, potential registrants—especially those outside Afghanistan—face challenges including inconsistent policy enforcement, geopolitical risk, and the possibility of service disruptions.
For users within Afghanistan or those tied to government or aligned institutions, .af remains a functioning and accessible digital identifier. But for others, especially civil society projects or international brands, caution and contingency planning are advised when engaging with this domain space.