South Africa has opened a tender for the future operator of the systems behind .co.za, .web.za, .net.za and .org.za domain names, putting a key part of the country’s online business infrastructure into a new procurement process.

The .za Domain Name Authority, ZADNA, issued request for proposals RFPZA2026/05 on 2 November 2026. Bids close on 14 December at 12:00 South African Standard Time.

For a business using one of these addresses, the immediate priority remains ordinary domain management: know who handles the registration, when it renews and who receives the account notices.

What is being put out to tender?

The successful bidder would operate the registry databases and technical services that support registrations, renewals and domain-name records. Its responsibilities would also include supporting and accrediting registrars, handling applicable fees and meeting security and continuity requirements.

A registry sits behind the registrar or service provider a business uses to register and manage its domain. Domain registration is also separate from website and email hosting, even when one provider sells them together. ZADNA explains that distinction in its domain-name FAQs.

The proposed contract and continuity requirements

The RFP anticipates a ten-year appointment, beginning after a successful transition and written service-commencement approval. Issuing the tender does not appoint an operator.

Bidders must explain how they would test systems, transfer registry data where required, run systems in parallel and recover if a change fails. The document requires a transition designed to avoid preventable interruption to registrations, renewals, transfers and domain-name resolution.

These are requirements for a future operating arrangement. The tender is not an instruction for business owners to migrate their websites or email.

Does it change what a domain costs?

Bidders must submit pricing and financial proposals, including proposed wholesale fee allocations. ZADNA retains oversight, and material fee-structure changes require its approval.

The tender does not announce a new retail renewal price. Businesses should check their own provider’s renewal quote and what it includes rather than treating a registry proposal as their next invoice.

The dates prospective bidders need

  • 19 November 2026: the stated date to confirm attendance at the compulsory briefing.
  • 20 November at 11:00: compulsory online briefing.
  • 30 November: clarification questions close.
  • 14 December at 12:00 SAST: proposal submission deadline.

Prospective bidders should use the complete RFP for submission instructions and check ZADNA’s procurement page for any amendments.

A useful check for business owners

Businesses do not need to wait for the tender outcome to tidy up their domain records. Confirm that the business can access its registrar account, record the renewal date and make sure a current employee receives renewal and security messages.

If a web designer or former employee registered the address, establish who is recorded as the registrant and who can authorise changes. Keep domain renewal responsibilities clear even if hosting, design and email are managed by different suppliers.

A domain is easy to overlook when it works. Knowing who controls it is a practical business safeguard regardless of who ultimately operates the registry.

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