EAC Directory, established in 2005, was a pioneering Kenyan domain registrar and web hosting provider that played a significant role in shaping the digital infrastructure landscape in East Africa. By offering localized hosting solutions and domain registration, EAC Directory quickly gained traction among small businesses, entrepreneurs, and bloggers across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda. Its legacy lies in its unwavering commitment to affordability, customer service, and supporting the digital aspirations of East African SMEs.
This article takes a comprehensive look at EAC Directory’s journey, its services, and the changes brought about after its acquisition by HOSTAFRICA. We will explore the platform’s impact on the region’s hosting scene, its evolution under new ownership, and the steps users took during the migration process. We’ll also highlight customer feedback and what the future holds for East Africa’s digital infrastructure under HOSTAFRICA’s stewardship.
EAC Directory’s Beginnings: Empowering SMEs and Entrepreneurs
Founded in 2005, EAC Directory was one of the earliest players in Kenya’s web hosting industry. Its mission was clear: to provide affordable, accessible, and reliable digital infrastructure to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), bloggers, and local entrepreneurs who were looking to establish a web presence without breaking the bank. The company offered a range of services tailored to meet the needs of these growing businesses, including:
- .co.ke Domain Registration: As the primary domain extension for Kenyan businesses, the company made it easy for entrepreneurs to get started with a local online presence.
- cPanel-based SSD Hosting: EAC Directory offered solid-state drive (SSD) hosting for improved performance and stability. Using the user-friendly cPanel control panel, clients could manage their websites with ease.
- Email & SSL Services: Included in most hosting plans were free email accounts and SSL certificates, ensuring a secure and professional web presence for businesses.
- Business Directory Listings: Unique to EAC Directory, the business directory allowed users to list their businesses in a searchable, categorized online directory that improved local search visibility, effectively boosting SEO for regional businesses.
This suite of services, combined with localized billing options such as mobile payments via M-Pesa, made it a go-to solution for businesses that wanted to digitally transition without relying on international providers that often didn’t offer local payment or support options.
By 2022, EAC Directory had expanded its reach to serve over 10,000 businesses across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda, solidifying its position as one of the earliest and most trusted digital infrastructure providers in East Africa.
A Game-Changing Acquisition: HOSTAFRICA’s Expansion into East Africa
On December 1, 2022, EAC Directory was officially acquired by HOSTAFRICA, a South African cloud hosting company. The acquisition was part of HOSTAFRICA’s broader strategy to strengthen its footprint in East Africa, a region that was rapidly adopting digital solutions and needed robust, enterprise-grade infrastructure.
This move was a strategic one for HOSTAFRICA, which had already begun to expand its regional influence with previous acquisitions such as Web4Africa. With the acquisition of EAC Directory, HOSTAFRICA aimed to bring world-class infrastructure to East Africa, leveraging its established reputation in the region while maintaining the local touch that EAC Directory was known for.
By mid-2023, the operational transition was complete, and EAC Directory had been rebranded as HOSTAFRICA EAC Ltd.. This change included a number of updates to the platform’s infrastructure, backend architecture, and support systems. While the shift marked the end of an era for the EAC Directory brand, it also signaled the beginning of a new chapter under the HOSTAFRICA umbrella.
Key Changes After the Acquisition
Following the acquisition, HOSTAFRICA implemented several operational and technical changes to enhance the performance of the hosting services while keeping the familiar user experience intact. Here’s a detailed look at some of the most significant transformations:
1. Infrastructure Upgrade
The migration of hosting accounts to HOSTAFRICA’s Tier 3-certified data centers in South Africa was one of the biggest changes. This upgrade provided better uptime SLAs (service-level agreements) and significantly improved website load speeds, crucial for businesses looking to optimize their online presence. The move to a more powerful, reliable hosting infrastructure ensured that users could access better performance and scalability.
2. Billing and Plan Adjustments
To align with HOSTAFRICA’s regional structure, the billing system was revamped. New pricing structures were introduced, and while the company continued to support payments in KES (Kenyan Shillings), it also introduced additional currency options to cater to a broader regional audience. This made it easier for businesses in neighboring countries to pay for services in their local currencies.
3. Customer Support Reorganization
HOSTAFRICA’s acquisition of EAC Directory included a restructuring of the support system. Although the Kenyan support team was retained, technical issues were now handled through HOSTAFRICA’s multi-regional support framework, which allowed for faster resolution times and more streamlined customer service. Users from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania now had access to a more efficient ticketing system, improving overall support turnaround.
4. Branding and Panel Changes
Users noticed a shift in branding and user interface (UI) as they logged into their hosting panels. The new HOSTAFRICA dashboard replaced the familiar EAC Directory interface, offering a more modern and unified user experience. While this transition was gradual, some long-time users expressed difficulty adjusting to the new interface, though the company provided sufficient training materials and customer support during the transition period.
Despite the significant changes, one crucial aspect was maintained: data continuity. The transfer of websites, email accounts, and domain settings was executed with minimal downtime, ensuring that users didn’t lose their content or experience disruptions in their online presence.
The Migration Process: A Step-by-Step Breakdown
For users moving from EAC Directory to HOSTAFRICA, the migration process was smooth and well-structured. Here’s how the transition took place:
1. DNS Propagation
Customers were instructed to update their nameservers to the new HOSTAFRICA settings:
- ns1.hostafrica.com
- ns2.hostafrica.com
This change in DNS settings was a critical step to ensure that websites would start loading from the new infrastructure. DNS propagation typically took anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days.
2. Email Configuration
For most customers, email settings remained unchanged as they continued using standard IMAP/POP3 protocols. However, some clients needed to re-authenticate their email accounts via the new HOSTAFRICA client portal.
3. Website & cPanel Migration
All websites, databases, and FTP accounts were migrated automatically using specialized tools to prevent data loss. The migration was designed to be seamless, ensuring that businesses wouldn’t have to rebuild their websites from scratch.
4. SSL Certificates
Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates were revalidated to ensure that all websites remained secure and retained their HTTPS encryption. This was part of the overall process to maintain security and protect client data during the migration.
5. Support Channels
For any migration-related issues, users could raise tickets via both the legacy EAC Directory portal and the new HOSTAFRICA platform. This two-channel support system was maintained for 30 days post-acquisition to ensure that users had ample time to transition.
Customer Reactions and Feedback
After the transition, the responses from EAC Directory’s customers were mixed but largely positive. Many long-time clients from Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kampala expressed satisfaction with the improved performance, particularly the faster website speeds and increased uptime. However, some users struggled with the new billing system and the unfamiliar interface of the HOSTAFRICA portal.
One customer, Ruth Kamau, the owner of a fashion e-commerce site, commented, “Our uptime has definitely improved since the transition, but I did have a bit of trouble navigating the new billing system initially.”
On the other hand, Wycliffe Onduu, the founder of EAC Directory, praised the integration with HOSTAFRICA, noting, “The partnership allows our customers to access top-tier infrastructure while still benefiting from the local support they’ve trusted for years.”
What’s Next for HOSTAFRICA EAC Ltd?
Looking forward, HOSTAFRICA has plans to expand its presence in East Africa, focusing on creating more localized hosting solutions to support growing businesses in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. The company has outlined several key initiatives, including:
- Localized reseller packages for digital agencies in Kenya and Uganda.
- Expansion into VPS hosting, with Kenyan IP addresses to optimize geolocation SEO.
- Regional data backup services to ensure business continuity for East African enterprises.
- Collaborations with regional fintech platforms to support multi-currency billing, including M-Pesa and Airtel Money.
These initiatives reflect HOSTAFRICA’s commitment to building on the foundation laid by EAC Directory, ensuring that small businesses in East Africa have access to world-class digital infrastructure that supports their growth.
Should You Stay or Switch Providers?
For those who were previously clients of EAC Directory, the decision to stay with HOSTAFRICA or switch to another provider should depend on your specific needs. If you’re looking for enterprise-grade hosting with improved performance and scalability, HOSTAFRICA offers a compelling solution. However, if you prioritize hyper-local support or have budget constraints, you may want to explore other providers that offer more region-specific services.
The decision ultimately comes down to your business needs and growth plans, but for those seeking reliable, scalable infrastructure, HOSTAFRICA provides a robust platform designed to support regional expansion.
