Great news for existing domain owners and affordable paths forward for new South African businesses.
The ZA Domain Name Authority (ZADNA) has finalised its annual Consumer Price Index (CPI)-linked registry fee adjustment for .co.za, .org.za, .net.za, and .web.za domain names, effective 1 October 2026. We have fantastic news for our current client community: this adjustment will not affect your active domain renewals. Your current renewals remain completely unchanged, ensuring stable, predictable costs for your established online presence.
What is Changing?
Starting 1 October 2026, ZADNA will apply a standard 6.2% adjustment to the wholesale registry fee structure.
- The Adjustment Rate: A 6.2% increase on wholesale registry transactions.
- The Scope: This change applies exclusively to brand-new registrations.
- Affected Extensions:
.co.za,.org.za,.net.za, and.web.za. - The Framework: The Policy: This standard step follows ZADNA’s public consultation methodology and the General Second-Level Domain Policy.
What Does This Mean for My Existing Domain?
If you already have an active domain registered with 1-grid, your services will continue to function normally without any operational friction or pricing adjustments. The update has zero impact on:
- Your active domain name identity and ownership
- Your live website files, databases, or content assets
- Your business email deliverability and mailboxes
- Your existing domain renewal pricing model
Why Are South African Domain Registry Fees Changing?
ZADNA’s annual adjustment is a positive step designed to reinforce the digital infrastructure of South Africa. These micro-contributions flow directly into strengthening the local online ecosystem by funding:
- Higher DNS resilience and advanced server stability
- Upgraded national cybersecurity protective shields
- Proactive domain name abuse mitigation systems
- Long-term innovation and safety across the .za namespace
Will My Domain Price Increase?
- For Existing Domains: No. Your ongoing domain renewals are fully insulated from this adjustment; your cost to keep your existing domain alive remains completely the same!
- For New Registrations: If you register a brand-new domain name after 1 October 2026, you will only see a very small, marginal pricing adjustment based directly on the foundational wholesale change introduced by ZADNA. 1-grid is keeping this transition as budget-friendly and accessible as possible to ensure starting a business remains affordable for everyone.
- Pricing Update: Keep a lookout for further pricing communication from 1-grid closer to 1 October 2026.
Do I Need to Do Anything?
No immediate action or account change is mandatory. Your website runs seamlessly. However, this period of stable pricing presents an ideal opportunity to clear your digital workspace and do some quick domain housekeeping:
- Log in to your 1-grid Customer Zone to audit your asset inventory.
- Plan any future expenses, if you need a new domain (not yet registered) using any of these namespaces.
- Retire obsolete domains you no longer utilise (it’s always good to review these).
- Verify your account and contact records are current.
💡 Tip: If you need to change any of your domain contact details right away, follow our quick guide on How To Keep Your 1-grid Domain Contact Details Up to Date.
Is a .za Domain Still Your Best Choice?
Absolutely. A .co.za or companion .za extension remains the gold standard for local South African commerce. It acts as an instant badge of trust, signalling to local consumers that your business is secure, verified, and proudly rooted in South Africa. This minor registry update leaves the high market value and utility of your digital identity completely intact.
Looking to Register a New Domain?
There has never been a better or more secure time to bring your brilliant business ideas to life! Secure your digital identity before the wholesale adjustment takes effect or enjoy our ongoing competitive rates after October. We make domain ownership simple, affordable, and incredibly fast.
Continuous Learning
Want a deeper dive into this change? Read our 1-grid Blog – South African Domain Price Changes 2026: What You Need to Know to discover more.
Related Articles
- How To Keep Your 1-grid Domain Contact Details Up to Date
- Understanding Domain Renewal Invoices at 1-grid
- How To View Your Domain Status in 1-grid’s Customer Zone
- Registering Your Domain with 1-grid
Need Help?
If you have questions regarding your account status or expiration timeline, access your 1-grid Customer Zone dashboard or contact us. Please provide your exact domain name to accelerate assistance.