Faith runs a small catering business in Eldoret, and she spots a .co.ke offer at HostAfrica for just 299 shillings. She buys it on the spot, builds a simple site, and feels very pleased with herself.
This review looks at HostAfrica domains from a Kenyan buyer’s point of view. You will see who the company is, what its domains cost, what comes included, and where Olitt offers a different kind of value.
Who Is HostAfrica?
HostAfrica is an African web hosting and domain company that started in Cape Town in 2008. According to its own story page, it now serves more than 100,000 customers across eight African markets.
It grew largely by buying smaller providers, and it reports 19 acquisitions so far. Kenya joined the map in April 2022, and the Kenyan arm was later renamed HostAfrica EAC Limited, as its press release explains.
The business sells hosting, domains, email, and website tools. It also keeps a Nairobi office, which appeals to buyers who like a local address on the invoice.
What HostAfrica Domains Do Well
A fair review starts with the strengths.
- Local payment options: The Kenyan site lists M-Pesa, Visa, Mastercard, DPO, and PayPal
- KeNIC accreditation: It describes itself as a KeNIC and ICANN accredited registrar for .ke names
- Free DNS hosting: DNS can be managed in the client area without a hosting plan
- Flat renewals on some endings: Several extensions renew at the same price as the first year
- Hosting under one roof: Domains, hosting, and email sit in one account
For a buyer who wants a long-standing provider with a physical Kenyan presence, these are real advantages.
HostAfrica Domain Prices in Kenya
The table below shows prices in Kenyan shillings from the HostAfrica domain prices page. The page does not state a date or say whether tax is included, so check the final basket.
| Extension | Register | Renew |
| .co.ke | KSh 346.84 | KSh 2,350 |
| .com | KSh 1,450 | KSh 2,990 |
| .org | KSh 2,000 | KSh 2,000 |
| .net | KSh 1,867.50 | KSh 1,867.50 |
| .xyz | KSh 3,000 | KSh 3,500 |
| .ke | KSh 3,000 | KSh 3,000 |
| .or.ke | KSh 1,450 | KSh 2,350 |
| .africa | KSh 1,059 | KSh 2,299 |
The main domains page also advertises a .co.ke promotion at KSh 299, valid until the end of 2026, with some prices shown before VAT.
Reading HostAfrica Domains Prices Like a Buyer
The numbers tell a story if you look at the pattern.
Flat Renewals
The .org, .net, and .ke endings cost the same every year. For these, the first-year price is the price you will keep paying, which makes budgeting easy.
Big Jumps
The .co.ke and .com endings drop low in year one and climb later. A .co.ke at 299 shillings renews at 2,350, which is almost eight times higher.
The Real Cost of a Promo
Here is how that plays out for a .co.ke over three years.
| Year | Cost |
| Year 1 | KSh 299 |
| Year 2 | KSh 2,350 |
| Year 3 | KSh 2,350 |
| Three-year total | KSh 4,999 |
That is still fair for a business address, but it is far from the 299 shillings on the banner. Our guide to choosing the best .co.ke domain explains what to weigh before you commit.
What Is Included With HostAfrica Domains and What Is Not
Know the free extras before you buy.
| Feature | HostAfrica |
| DNS hosting | Free, no hosting plan needed |
| Custom nameservers | Yes |
| Auto-renewal and parking | Yes |
| WHOIS privacy | Free on select extensions only |
| Transfers in | One-time fee, listed per extension |
The privacy line deserves attention. The company says protection is free only on certain endings, so check the page for the exact one you want.
How HostAfrica Domains Compare With Olitt
Here is a side-by-side look for a Kenyan site owner.
| Factor | HostAfrica | Olitt |
| Company base | Cape Town origin, Nairobi office | Built for Kenya and Africa |
| .co.ke promo | KSh 299, renews at KSh 2,350 | From 2.30 dollars |
| .org price | KSh 2,000 flat | 11.28 dollars first year, 12.27 dollars renewal |
| WHOIS privacy | Free on select extensions | Free on Olitt domains |
| DNS management | Free | Free |
| Local payments | M-Pesa and cards | Check the options at checkout |
| AI domain generator | Not listed on the prices page | Yes |
| AI website builder | Offers an AI builder | Yes, in the same account |
| Support | Chat, tickets, phone | 24/7 support |
The .org row is worth a closer look. At about 130 shillings to the dollar, Olitt’s .org costs roughly 4,650 shillings over three years, while HostAfrica’s flat 2,000 shillings comes to 6,000.
The .co.ke row is closer than it looks. At the same rate, 2.30 dollars is about 300 shillings, so first-year prices are similar, and the real test is each seller’s renewal price.
Exchange rates move, so treat these as rough guides and run your own numbers on the day you buy.
Why Olitt Is a Smart Alternative
Olitt aims to get a first website live with as few steps as possible. You find a name, register it, and build a site from one account.
- AI domain name generator: Describe your business and get names that are free to register
- AI website builder: A draft site in minutes, with no code
- Free WHOIS privacy and DNS: No extra charge on Olitt domains
- Clear upfront prices: Such as .co.ke at 2.30 dollars and .com at 5.99 dollars
- Bundles: Website plans can include a free domain for the first year when you pay annually
Search a name on the Olitt domain page and see which endings are free in seconds.
Who Should Choose HostAfrica Domains?
It is a fine fit in a few cases.
- You want one provider for domains and hosting, with a Nairobi office
- You pay mostly with M-Pesa and like a Paybill option
- You prefer .org or .net, where renewals stay flat
- You already host with HostAfrica and want one invoice
Who Should Choose Olitt Over HostAfrica Domains?
It fits better in these cases.
- You want an AI helper to find a name and build the first site
- You want free privacy on your domain without checking a list
- You want clear first-year prices on popular endings
- You are launching your very first website
How to Avoid Promo Traps at Any Registrar
These habits protect your wallet, whoever you pick.
- Read the renewal price on the same screen as the first-year price
- Add three years of cost and compare the totals
- Check whether tax is included in the number you see
- Ask whether privacy is free for your extension
- Save your authorization code in a safe place
- Set a reminder a month before expiry
How to Move a Domain to Olitt
Switching is simple when you plan ahead. The usual ICANN rules apply, so the domain must be unlocked, and a registrar may refuse a transfer within 60 days of a new registration.
- Unlock the domain at your current registrar
- Request the authorization code
- Start the transfer with Olitt using the code
- Approve the email requests and wait for completion
- Check your DNS records so your site and email keep working
Start a month before renewal, which leaves room to fix any delay.
Build Your Website on Your New Domain
A domain with no site is like a shop sign with no shop. The Olitt AI website builder turns a plain description of your business into a draft site within minutes.
You edit the text and images, connect your domain, and publish without writing any code. Faith did this after her renewal surprise, and her catering business now has a live site and a business email.
For a wider market view, see our ranking of the 5 best domain registrars in Kenya.
Pick the Home That Fits Your Domain
HostAfrica domains suit buyers who want a long-running provider with local payments and flat renewals on a few endings. For a first website, clear prices, free privacy, and AI tools in one account, Olitt is a strong alternative.
Search your name now and register it through Olitt in a few minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HostAfrica a KeNIC accredited registrar? It describes itself as a KeNIC and ICANN accredited registrar for .ke domains. You can confirm this on KeNIC’s registrar list.
Does HostAfrica accept M-Pesa? Yes. Its Kenyan site lists M-Pesa, along with Visa, Mastercard, DPO, and PayPal.
Why does a HostAfrica .co.ke renew for more than the first year? The first year is a promotion. The standard renewal price is KSh 2,350, so always check it before you buy.
Is WHOIS privacy free at HostAfrica? It is free on select extensions only, so check the page for your ending.
Does Olitt charge for WHOIS privacy? No. Free WHOIS privacy protection and free DNS management come with Olitt domains.
