The Government of Anguilla is projected to make more than EC$100 million from .ai domain registrations in total this year.
Premier Ellis Webster, who also serves as finance minister, revealed the estimate during his 2024 Budget address in the Anguilla House of Assembly on Monday, 9 December.
“Domain name registration is projected to exceed the 2024 Budget estimate of $64.05m by an impressive $41.48m, therefore exceeding $100m, showcasing remarkable growth in this area,” he said.
Webster added that the government looks forward to even stronger performance in this area in
2025.
“By leveraging the .ai domain – a valuable digital asset – we are creating a stronger management framework to generate sustained and increased revenue streams,” he said.
“This initiative not only diversifies our revenue base but also positions Anguilla as a forward-thinking economy in the digital age.”
The premier’s announcement is supported by the government’s draft 2025 Estimates of Recurrent Revenue, Expenditure and Capital, released earlier this week.
It shows that the estimated revenue from .ai domain registrations for 2024 was $64.05m, while the current end of year projection is $105.53m.
In 2023, the total government revenue from registrations was $86.83m, so if the government meets its projections, this year the total is expected to increase by about $18.70m.
The draft estimates document predicts that this industry will continue to grow over the next three years, with projections of $132m in 2025, $138.6m in 2026 and $145.53m in 2027.
In October, US company Identity Digital signed a memorandum of understanding with the government to manage the sale of .ai domain registrations for five years.
It said it aims to use its global registry management system to help reduce cybersecurity risks and protect the coveted domain’s reputation.
Innovation minister Quincia Gumbs-Marie at the time said: “The .ai domain, recognised worldwide as a symbol of artificial intelligence, carries tremendous value beyond its digital identity.
“It represents an opportunity for Anguilla to leverage its global brand to generate significant revenue, which can then be reinvested into our communities.”
