AFTLD is a project through which ISO 3166 Country-Code Top-Level Internet Domain (ccTLD) Registries in the African and Middle East geographical area intend to co-operate and to engage in concerted action on issues of common concern.

In accordance with the Constituency Principles, each of the five regions recognised by ICANN is permitted to have representation in the Administrative Committee together with any affiliation of ccTLDs which has 10 members or more. Those five regions are: Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, South America. A sixth constituency consisting of various ccTLDs around the world is also represented by the IATLD group.

Among the above constituencies, only Africa is not represented as a group - Currently in the African continent, ccTLD registries present their individual standpoints as best they could, but due to the sheer number of them and their individually small size in comparison to some other TLD, their voice is often not heard.

For this reason, it is desirable to have a focal point for all the African TLDs, to discuss matters of policy that affect all ccTLDs and then, where possible, to present the group's position as one voice. It is felt that one coherent voice from a large group will have more influence and will make it easier for external parties to gauge what the opinion of the AFTLD registries is.

The work plan of AFTLD is determined by its participants, and it is hoped that useful input will be obtained from the ccTLDs. All discussions and decisions will take place with input from all participants. Discussions and decisions will take place by means of a mailing list and physical meetings. The first meeting will tentatively be held in January 2000 in Cape Town, in conjunction with other African networking initiatives, viz. AfriNIC and AFNOG.