How To Generate Your SSL Certificate from the HostAfrica Client Area

• If you have purchased an SSL certificate through HostAfrica, here’s a simple guide to help you generate and download it. 
• Please note: this guide only covers the SSL generation process, not the installation.

If You're Using PanelAlpha WordPress Hosting:

• Log in to your account as guided here: 
  Panel Alpha Account.
• Find a Certificate Signing Request Tool Such as 
  CSR Generator

• Fill in the required fields
  (domain, city, company name, etc.)
• Click Generate CSR + Private Key.
• Copy the entire CSR block, including the
  -----BEGIN CERTIFICATE REQUEST-----
  and -----END CERTIFICATE REQUEST-----.
• Copy the private key into a safe place; never share it with anyone. You will need it for the SSL install process.
  
  

If You're Using cPanel:

• Log in to your cPanel account.
• Go to SSL/TLS under the "Security" section.

• Click "Generate, view, or delete SSL certificate signing requests."

• Fill in the required fields
  (domain, city, company name, etc.).

• Click Generate.

• Copy the entire CSR block, including the
  -----BEGIN CERTIFICATE REQUEST----- and
  -----END CERTIFICATE REQUEST-----
  

  
  

• Log in to your DirectAdmin account.
• Click "SSL Certificates." (Click on the CTRL+J keys on your keyboard to launch the search tool and find it more quickly)

• Choose "Create A Certificate Request".

• Fill in your details and click Save or Create.

• Your CSR will be generated. Copy it completely, including the begin/end lines.
  
  

• Open IIS Manager.

• In the left panel, select the server name.




• Double-click "Server Certificates", then click "Create Certificate Request".

• Fill in your domain and company details.

• Choose your encryption level (2048-bit is recommended).

• Save the generated CSR file and open it in Notepad to copy the CSR text.
  
  

Once you have your CSR, follow these steps:

• Log in to your HostAfrica Client Panel
  

  https://panel.hostafrica.com




• From the dashboard, find your SSL Certificate under Quick Actions and click Manage

• Click on 'Submit Certificate Signing Request' on the new page.

• Paste only the CSR you generated earlier into the CSR field.

• Select your web server type from the list (e.g., Apache, Nginx, IIS, if unsure, select Other).




• Then click on Continue to Validation Method.

To confirm ownership of your domain, you’ll need to complete domain validation.
There are two main methods:

• Select the email-based method from the drop-down and the email you would like to receive the verification link to.
  
• Click on Continue to Confirm Details and submit your certificate request on the next page
  

• The system will send a verification email to a standard domain admin email
  (e.g., [email protected], [email protected]).

• Click the link in the email to approve the request.

• Select the DNS method from the drop-down.
  
• Click on Continue to Confirm Details and submit your certificate request on the next page

• You’ll be asked to add a CNAME or TXT record to your domain’s DNS.

• This method is faster and more reliable, especially if you don’t have access to domain admin emails.

• After adding the DNS record, allow a few minutes to propagate.

N/B If your domain is hosted with HostAfrica, you can easily add DNS records from your client dashboard or control panel.

• Click the Open Validation Manager button

• Complete the validation steps and click Submit and Recheck.

• Once the validation is complete, go back to your client area SSL product page, and you will now see this.
  Allow a few minutes, and click on Check Status

After completing domain validation:

• Ensure that you are on your SSL product page in the HostAfrica Client Area.

• Refresh the page or click on Check Status




• You will now see a "Download" option.

• Click it to download a zipped folder containing your SSL certificate files.

• You’re done!

• This guide only helps you generate and retrieve your SSL certificate.




• If you need help with installing the SSL certificate on your hosting environment (cPanel, DirectAdmin or elsewhere), feel free to contact your hosting provider's support team.

• PanelAlpha WordPress users at HostAfrica can refer to this guide: 
  

  Managing SSL certificates in PanelAlpha