For anyone who has considered using the .bi domains, it’s only natural to wonder what the history of the domains is.

When were they released, by whom, and how have they impacted over time?

How can a small country’s digital identity open doors for businesses worldwide? 

Well, the history of .bi domains is a story of resilience and growth, starting from Burundi’s early steps into the internet age.

Join in as we look into the history of .bi domains, Burundi’s official country code top-level domain (ccTLD), showing how it evolved from a national tool to a globally accessible option. 

You’ll get the full timeline, plus practical tips on why it’s a smart pick today and how to access one. 

In the next paragraphs, we will cover:

• The roots of domain names and how .bi fits in.
• Key milestones like the 1996 delegation and 2002 redelegation.
• Modern growth and real-world examples from Burundi and beyond.
• Benefits for US businesses and step-by-step registration with Truehost.

Let’s uncover the history of .bi domains together.

The Roots of Domain Names: Setting the Stage for .bi

To truly appreciate the history of .bi domains, we need to step back and look at how the whole domain name system came about. 

Back in the 1980s, the internet was like a wild frontier—computers connected, but finding anything was a mess of numbers and codes. 

That’s when Paul Mockapetris invented the Domain Name System (DNS) in 1983, turning those clunky IP addresses into the memorable names we use today.

Country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) were born from this, assigned to nations based on ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 codes. 

Think .uk for the United Kingdom, .ca for Canada or .ke for Kenya—these were meant to give countries their own slice of the web for local identity and control.

That eventually trickled down to developing countries like Burundi. 

In the 1990s, as the internet boomed globally, Africa was just starting to plug in. 

Limited infrastructure meant many countries, including Burundi, leaned on neighbors for tech support.

This global push set the perfect stage for .bi. 

As Burundi eyed its digital future, the history of .bi domains began to unfold, mirroring the broader story of how small nations claimed their online space amid challenges like spotty connectivity and resource constraints. 

It’s a reminder that behind every domain is a human effort to connect and grow.

The Origin of .bi Domains: Delegation in 1996

The history of .bi domains kicks off officially on October 21, 1996, when the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), now under ICANN’s umbrella, delegated it to Burundi. 

This wasn’t just a technical handoff; it was Burundi’s ticket to the global web, even as the country grappled with civil unrest and basic infrastructure hurdles.

Leading the charge were two key figures: Fabien Kayijuka as the administrative contact from IBPT in Bujumbura, Burundi, and Frédéric Grégoire as the technical contact from IZPT in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). 

Why Zaire? Burundi’s internet was still at baby steps, so they relied on regional partners for the heavy lifting. 

Early on, .bi was used mainly for government sites and local organizations, like basic pages for ministries or educational hubs.

It wasn’t glamorous; connectivity was dial-up slow, and access was limited to urban areas. 

But this delegation planted the seeds for growth.

We could say that the history of .bi domains is tied directly to Burundi’s push for digital inclusion. 

Today, the .bi domain can be used even globally and is still growing strong.

Early Management and Challenges (1998-2001)

As the internet evolved, so did the management of .bi. 

In 1998, the administrative reins shifted to Victor Ciza at the Centre National de l’Informatique (CNI), a government-backed informatics center in Burundi.

This move signaled a desire for more local control, but challenges persisted.

Technical operations stayed external, handled in the DRC due to Burundi’s limited setup—think unreliable power and scarce bandwidth. 

By 2001, Victor Ciza formally requested changes on September 6, aiming to bring everything in-house. 

The new technical contact? Felix Ndayirukiye from CBINET, a CNI subsidiary focused on internet services.

This era in the history of .bi domains highlights obstacles: political instability in Burundi made tech investments tricky, and community stakeholders had to negotiate agreements to keep things running. 

It’s like building a house during a storm—tough, but essential. 

Businesses like local banks might have hesitated to go online, but pioneers pushed forward, creating early sites for commerce and info sharing.

Redelegation Milestone: Gaining Full Control in 2002

2002 marked a pivotal chapter in the history of .bi domains with the official redelegation on July 16. 

After months of talks, CNI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ICANN on May 16, endorsed by Burundi’s Ministry of Communication in March.

This shifted full control to CNI, establishing NIC.BI as the registry.

Victor Ciza stayed admin, Felix Ndayirukiye took tech, and operations moved fully to Burundi. 

No more relying on external partners—it was a win for sovereignty.

For everyday users, this meant stability. 

Government sites like mae.gov.bi (Burundi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs) could expand reliably.

It’s inspiring to think of folks like Burundian entrepreneurs, perhaps starting small online shops, now having a solid foundation. 

This redelegation wasn’t just paperwork; it empowered a nation to own its digital narrative.

Modern .bi Domains: Growth and Accessibility

Fast-forward to today, and the history of .bi domains shows impressive evolution. 

NIC.BI handles registrations, with no DNSSEC or IDN support yet, but it’s open worldwide for anyone, a resident or not. 

Second-level options like .com.bi for businesses or .org.bi for nonprofits make it versatile.

Growth has been steady, fueled by Burundi’s digital boom.

As of 2025, registrations have climbed, with sites like time.bi.

International appeal? Absolutely—US users can now grab one for unique branding tied to Burundi’s vibe.

Why Choose .bi Domains? Benefits for the US Market

Reflecting on the history of .bi domains, their appeal today is clear. 

They are short, memorable, and tied to a story of progress. 

For US businesses, it’s a fresh alternative to oversaturated options.

Benefits include affordability, high availability, and global recognition without geo-locks. 

Plus, search engines love unique domains for niche SEO.

In the US, where competition is fierce, .bi stands out, so you could adapt it for your venture. 

It’s about opportunity: low barriers mean anyone can join in this history.

How to Register .bi Domains with Truehost

At Truehost, we make it our mission to provide unique, affordable domains accessible to everyone.

Imagine a small business owner in the US, frustrated by unavailable .com names. 

We saw that struggle and tapped into our ICANN accreditation and partnerships with registries like NIC.BI to bring .bi to the table. 

Now, with a few clicks, anyone can join the .bi story and stand out online.

Truehost makes registering .bi domains simple for US users. Just head to https://truehost.com/ and search for your desired .bi name.

Conclusion

From the 1996 delegation to the 2002 redelegation and beyond, the history of .bi domains is one of Burundi’s steady digital climbs. 

Looking ahead, with Africa’s tech surge, .bi’s potential is bright.

Don’t wait!

Register your .bi domain to be part of this evolving story. It’s more than a domain; it’s a connection to growth and possibility.