"Kenny Cruz Drives Sustainable Development in Cabo Verde with ‘Host One IMRS’ Initiative"

Can you give a brief overview of your project related to SDG 9?

My project focuses on hosting an ICANN IMRS (Managed Root Server) in Cabo Verde, aiming to strengthen the country's digital infrastructure. This directly supports SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure by enhancing internet resilience, reducing latency, and ensuring faster, more secure access to digital services. By localizing critical internet infrastructure, the project promotes technological innovation, boosts connectivity for citizens and institutions, and lays the groundwork for a robust digital economy. It also encourages sustainable development through inclusive digital transformation, positioning Cabo Verde as a proactive player in Africa's digital future.

What motivated you to focus on this particular aspect of SDG 9?

What motivated me was Cabo Verde’s vulnerability as a small island developing state that relies heavily on external internet connections. Any disruption can isolate the country digitally. I saw a clear opportunity to contribute to SDG 9 by improving our technological resilience and fostering innovation through better infrastructure. Hosting an IMRS server locally not only boosts internet performance but also empowers national institutions and youth with reliable digital tools. As someone passionate about digital inclusion, I believe this project is a vital step toward ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age.

What were the primary goals of your project

Enhance Internet Infrastructure in Cabo Verde by hosting an ICANN IMRS server, improving speed, security, and resilience of DNS access.

Promote Digital Sovereignty, reducing dependence on external networks and ensuring local control over critical internet infrastructure.

How did your project contribute to building resilient infrastructure or promoting sustainable industrialization?

My project contributed to building resilient infrastructure by introducing a local copy of the ICANN IMRS root server in Cabo Verde. This strengthens the national internet backbone, ensuring faster and more stable DNS resolution, even during global or regional outages. It reduces latency, minimizes the risk of disconnection, and enhances cybersecurity—key elements of a resilient digital infrastructure.

In terms of sustainable industrialization, the project lays the groundwork for a digital economy, enabling businesses, startups, and public services to operate more efficiently. By promoting local data routing, it reduces energy-intensive international traffic, aligning with sustainable digital practices.

Did your project involve any innovative approaches or technologies? If so, could you describe them?

Yes, my project involved an innovative approach by proposing the local hosting of an ICANN IMRS (Managed Root Server) — a critical component of the global internet infrastructure — in a small island developing state like Cabo Verde, where such infrastructure is typically absent.

Instead of relying solely on traditional connectivity routes through Europe or the Americas, the project introduced the idea of decentralizing DNS resolution locally, ensuring faster, safer, and more efficient internet access.

The innovation lies in strategically integrating global infrastructure (root servers) into a local context, promoting digital sovereignty, cybersecurity, and resilience using existing internet technologies in a novel, sustainable way.

What were some of the challenges you encountered during the implementation of your project, and how did you address them?

One of the main challenges I encountered during the implementation of the IMRS project was securing support from key stakeholders. In a small country like Cabo Verde, there was a need to raise awareness and gain the buy-in from various parties, including government agencies, private sector players, and international organizations. To address this, I proactively engaged in outreach and dialogue, presenting the project at events like ICANN@NextGen78 and working closely with stakeholders like ARME to align the project with national goals.

Another challenge was navigating technical complexities around the infrastructure requirements and data sovereignty. Ensuring that Cabo Verde had the technical capacity to host such a critical piece of internet infrastructure was key. I tackled this by collaborating with experts in the field, including those from ICANN, and leveraging global partnerships to ensure the necessary support and expertise.

Lastly, the financial aspect posed a challenge, as hosting such a server requires significant investment. To address this, I focused on identifying funding opportunities, such as applying for the ICANN Grant Program, and engaged potential private sector partners to help share the costs.

By staying focused on long-term goals, engaging relevant stakeholders, and seeking technical and financial support, I was able to make significant progress in overcoming these challenges.

Can you share any specific outcomes or achievements of your project in relation to SDG 9?

Increased Awareness of Digital Infrastructure Needs: The project successfully raised awareness within Cabo Verde about the importance of resilient internet infrastructure. By presenting the IMRS project at ICANN@NextGen78 and publishing articles, I was able to engage key stakeholders, including ARME and local telecom providers, on the importance of strengthening digital infrastructure.

Strengthened Partnerships: Through the project, I fostered collaborations with international organizations like ICANN and local stakeholders such as ARME and private sector actors. This helped position Cabo Verde as a strategic partner in the global digital ecosystem, opening doors for further innovation and infrastructure development.

ICANN Grant Application: ARME submitted an application for the ICANN Grant Program, aimed at securing funding to support the IMRS project. This is a major achievement, as it aligns with SDG 9’s focus on building resilient infrastructure and promoting sustainable development.

Improved Digital Connectivity: While still in progress, the project has laid the groundwork for enhancing internet performance, reducing latency, and improving cybersecurity in Cabo Verde. Localizing DNS resolution will have long-term benefits for both businesses and citizens, contributing to a more efficient, sustainable digital economy.

Knowledge Transfer and Capacity Building: The project has led to knowledge sharing and capacity building among local stakeholders, including government officials and tech experts. This aligns with SDG 9’s goal of fostering innovation and strengthening local technical expertise.

Did you collaborate with any partners or stakeholders while working on your project? If yes, how did these collaborations enhance the project's impact?

ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers): As the global body responsible for internet governance, ICANN provided critical expertise and guidance. My participation in ICANN@NextGen78 allowed me to connect with key decision-makers and understand the technical and regulatory requirements for hosting an IMRS server in Cabo Verde. ICANN's support and resources were pivotal in shaping the project's direction.

ARME (Agência Reguladora Multissetorial da Economia): ARME played a crucial role as a potential host for the IMRS server. Collaborating with them not only helped align the project with national regulations and goals but also led to ARME submitting an application to the ICANN Grant Program for funding. This partnership was vital in ensuring the project's legitimacy and potential for long-term success.

Youth IGF Cabo Verde: As an ambassador for the Youth Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Cabo Verde, this collaboration helped raise awareness and support among the younger generation. Their involvement in advocacy and outreach efforts helped ensure that the project was seen as a tool for digital empowerment and inclusion, fostering greater public understanding and engagement.

What lessons did you learn from undertaking this project related to SDG 9?

The Importance of Local Partnerships: Collaborating with local stakeholders, like ARME and private sector companies, proved essential for gaining the support and resources needed to move the project forward. It's clear that sustainable infrastructure projects rely on strong, local partnerships to align with national priorities and ensure long-term success.

Digital Sovereignty Matters: One of the major lessons was realizing how vital digital sovereignty is for small island nations like Cabo Verde. By bringing critical internet infrastructure like the IMRS server to the country, it becomes less dependent on foreign infrastructure, reducing risks from external disruptions and increasing control over national digital systems.

How do you envision the scalability or sustainability of your project's outcomes in the context of promoting resilient infrastructure and sustainable industrialization?

Expansion to Other Regions: Once the IMRS server is successfully hosted in Cabo Verde, the project can serve as a model for other countries in the region, particularly small island developing states (SIDS) that face similar challenges related to internet connectivity and digital infrastructure. By replicating this project in other parts of Africa or the Caribbean, we can expand digital infrastructure and resilience across these regions.

Local Infrastructure Development: The project can be a catalyst for broader local infrastructure investments, encouraging further development of data centers and telecom networks in Cabo Verde and surrounding countries. It will likely inspire further innovation, with local businesses and institutions becoming more engaged in the digital ecosystem.

Involvement of Other Stakeholders: As the project progresses, more private sector players, NGOs, and international partners may become involved in providing additional technological solutions, funding, or policy support, allowing the project’s impact to grow and evolve.