Beginner’s Guide to Hosting with HOSTAFRICA (Formerly EAC Directory)
If you’re new to web hosting in Kenya or East Africa, you’ve likely encountered names like EAC Directory, a pioneering local provider known for domain registration and shared hosting.
As of 2023, EAC Directory operates under the registered name HOSTAFRICA EAC Limited, the Kenyan division of HOSTAFRICA, a South African-based hosting group serving multiple African regions.
In this guide we’ll explain how HOSTAFRICA evolved in Kenya from EAC Directory, what that means for new and existing customers, and how you can get started with web hosting in Kenya.
Whether you’re purchasing a .co.ke domain for your first site or migrating services from a legacy plan, this overview is designed for beginners looking to navigate the hosting landscape with confidence.
What Was EAC Directory and Why Was It Rebranded by HOSTAFRICA?
Legacy of EAC Directory
Founded in 2005, EAC Directory was one of Kenya’s original web hosting providers.
What was originally meant to be an online business directory for Kenya quickly evolved into a Web Hosting service. This became widely used by small businesses, bloggers, and entrepreneurs as its affordable shared hosting plans, local domain registration (such as .co.ke), and easy-to-use dashboard truly resonated with the market.
HOSTAFRICA Acquisition and Rebranding
In December 2022, HOSTAFRICA, a well-established South African hosting provider, acquired EAC Directory. This move expanded HOSTAFRICA’s footprint into the East African market.
The company now operates in Kenya as HOSTAFRICA, offering localised support, pricing in Kenyan Shillings, and regionally tailored infrastructure while integrating EAC Directory’s existing user base.
The rebranded platform introduced several upgrades, including improved server performance, broader product offerings such as VPS hosting and email services, and continued availability of Kenyan-specific domains.
What This Means for Kenyan Users
If you previously used EAC Directory, your hosting is now managed by HOSTAFRICA.
The rebrand enhances service reliability while maintaining access to all the familiar hosting tools. New users benefit from HOSTAFRICA’s broader ecosystem, which includes Virtual Servers, bundled hosting packages, and a multilingual support team operating from both regional and continental hubs.
Key Hosting Terms for Beginners (with HOSTAFRICA Examples)
Domain Name
A domain name is your website’s address on the internet—like yourbusiness.co.ke.
When registering a domain with HOSTAFRICA, you can choose from regional extensions like .co.ke and global ones like .com or .org. A domain is the first step in creating your online presence, and it must be renewed annually.
Shared Hosting
Shared hosting is the most affordable type of hosting, ideal for beginners. It means your website shares a server with other sites, reducing costs. HOSTAFRICA’s shared hosting plans are designed for small websites, personal blogs, and local businesses getting online for the first time.
VPS (Virtual Private Server)
A VPS offers more control and resources than shared hosting. It gives you a private slice of server capacity while still being hosted on a physical server. HOSTAFRICA provides scalable VPS plans for users who need faster performance, better security, and more flexibility for growing websites or web applications.
SSL Certificate
An SSL certificate secures your website with HTTPS, protecting visitor data and improving trust. With HOSTAFRICA, SSL certificates are available as standalone products or bundled into hosting plans, ensuring your Kenyan website meets modern web security standards.
HOSTAFRICA’s Hosting Products Explained
Domain Registration
Registering a domain through HOSTAFRICA is quick and local. You can search for .co.ke, .or.ke, or other Kenyan extensions through their online portal. All domains come with full DNS management and annual renewal reminders.
Shared Hosting Plans
HOSTAFRICA offers tiered shared hosting packages tailored to beginners:
- Starter Plan: For personal sites and one-page websites
- Business Plan: For SMEs needing email, SSL, and backups
- Premium Plan: For high-traffic blogs, ecommerce sites or growing companies
Each package includes a free domain, emails, all the tools you need to get started and 24/7 support from the Nairobi-based team.
VPS Hosting Options
VPS plans are suitable for developers or businesses that need more resources. You can choose between unmanaged and managed VPS depending on your technical experience.
HOSTAFRICA provides SSD storage, scalable RAM, and Kenyan IP addresses for local Kenyan needs.
Email Hosting
Professional email accounts using your domain (e.g., you@yourdomain.co.ke) are included in most plans or available separately.
Comparing HOSTAFRICA vs Kenyan Hosting Alternatives
Kenya’s hosting market includes several providers, but HOSTAFRICA stands out due to its hybrid model: regional infrastructure paired with the resources of a continental provider.
HOSTAFRICA’s competitive advantage lies in offering global-standard infrastructure with Kenyan localization, serving personal sites, SMEs, and technical users alike.
What Changed During the Rebrand?
- Unified Support: You now have access to a regional and continental support team through HOSTAFRICA channels
- Service Expansion: In addition to shared hosting, users can now access VPS, managed WordPress, and domain bundles
- Enhanced Performance: Upgraded hardware and servers improve load times and uptime guarantees
What about Migration?
If you were a EAC Directory customer before, you can rest assured that nothing has changed. You can log in with your usual credentials from the HOSTAFRICA portal and access all your domains and services in HOSTAFRICA’s easy to use client area.
FAQs About HOSTAFRICA EAC & EAC Directory
Is EAC Directory still active?
No, EAC Directory was officially rebranded as HOSTAFRICA following its acquisition in December 2022. All hosting services, domains, and user accounts have been migrated to HOSTAFRICA’s unified platform, which now serves the East African region.
What changed after the rebrand?
The rebrand brought:
- New infrastructure supported by HOSTAFRICA’s South African servers
- Continued access to Kenyan domains like .co.ke and a range of other ccTLDs and international gTLDs and a range of exciting services
- Enhanced support options and more scalable hosting solutions, including VPS and managed solutions
Do I need to create a new account with HOSTAFRICA?
No. Your existing EAC Directory credentials still work. Users were transitioned automatically, retaining their service configurations and billing history.
Where are HOSTAFRICA EAC’s servers located?
HOSTAFRICA EAC uses a hybrid server model:
- Primary web hosting infrastructure in South Africa
- Regional hosting infrastructure in Kenya to serve local large business hosting needs and meet data management requirements
This improves speed, reliability, and uptime for East African users while enabling access to enterprise-grade hosting resources.
Can I still register a .co.ke domain?
Yes. HOSTAFRICA remains a KENIC accredited domain registrar. You can register .co.ke, .or.ke, .ac.ke, and global domains via the online portal. WHOIS privacy and DNS management are included.
Helpful Resources & Getting Started Links
If you’re ready to begin your hosting journey with HOSTAFRICA or want to explore your options further, the resources below will help you get started with confidence.
These tools are especially useful for beginners, small businesses, and developers looking for reliable, Kenya-focused hosting backed by a continental provider.
🔗 Official HOSTAFRICA Resources
- HOSTAFRICA Homepage (Previously eacdirectory.co.ke)
Browse all hosting plans, domain services, and support options tailored for Kenyan users. - Client Login Portal
Sign in to your hosting account, manage billing, and review services. Use your EAC Directory credentials if migrating. - Domain Search Tool
Instantly search and register .co.ke, .or.ke, .com, and other local/global domains. - VPS Hosting Plans
Discover scalable VPS solutions with SSD storage, local IPs, and full control—ideal for developers and growing sites. - SSL Certificates Overview
Learn how to secure your site with HTTPS encryption, included free in most hosting packages.
📘 Beginner-Friendly Guides & Tutorials
- Getting Started with cPanel
Master the basics: manage your files, emails, backups, and more with easy-to-follow tutorials. - How to Migrate from EAC Directory
Step-by-step guide to transitioning your services to HOSTAFRICA —keep your data and domain intact. - Email Setup Help
Configure professional email addresses like you@yourdomain.co.ke for webmail and desktop clients.
🧰 Tools & Support
- WHOIS Lookup Tool
Check domain ownership, registration details, and renewal status. - Live Chat Support
Connect instantly with HOSTAFRICA’s Nairobi-based and continental support teams—available 24/7. - Knowledgebase
Access a self-service hub for troubleshooting, DNS configuration, and hosting management.
Whether you’re registering your first .co.ke domain, setting up a business site, or scaling with VPS hosting, HOSTAFRICA delivers a platform built for East African success—with tools, support, and infrastructure to grow with you. Use these resources as your launchpad to a strong and secure online presence.
