- Revised ICP‑2 empowers ICANN CEO Kurt Lindqvist to revoke RIR status without regional consensus.
- Cloud Innovation calls for AFRINIC’s dissolution and transition to new governance to protect Africa’s internet future.
Context: Collapse of AFRINIC and ICP‑2’s new role
AFRINIC, once tasked with managing Africa’s IP resources, is now widely viewed as a failed registry. Years of internal dysfunction culminated in a court-overseen board election in June 2025, which was annulled entirely—discarding all votes—over a single unresolved proxy dispute. This outcome exposed what observers describe as unworkable election standards and a governance framework in crisis.
Amid this breakdown, ICANN introduced a significant revision to its ICP‑2 documentation, originally designed to guide the creation of new Regional Internet Registries (RIRs). The updated document, titled Implementation and Assessment Procedures for ICP‑2 Compliance, now enables ICANN to initiate compliance reviews and revoke recognition of existing RIRs—a shift that alters long-standing governance dynamics. In response, Cloud Innovation, AFRINIC’s third-largest member, has formally called for ICANN and the Number Resource Organization (NRO) to appoint a successor RIR immediately.
From coordination to control: Lindqvist’s changing approach
Historically, ICANN’s role in RIR recognition was limited to coordination and support within a bottom-up, multistakeholder framework. The latest ICP‑2 update, however, marks a departure from this model. It introduces procedures that allow de-recognition of an RIR without requiring regional consensus—something never previously formalised.
Some within the community see this as a consolidation of power. Under the leadership of CEO Kurt Lindqvist, ICANN is perceived by critics as shifting from neutral facilitator to central authority. This evolution has raised concerns over whether decisions are still being guided by consensus or increasingly shaped by top-down oversight. For stakeholders in Africa, the implications of this shift are particularly significant, as regional autonomy risks being overshadowed by externally driven processes.
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Cloud Innovation’s push for a reset
In the face of AFRINIC’s operational collapse, Cloud Innovation is leading calls for a reset. The company, which previously pursued legal reforms to stabilise AFRINIC, now argues that the recent election annulment shows democratic processes under the current structure are no longer viable. It has called for AFRINIC to be wound up under Mauritian law, and replaced with a new institution capable of fulfilling its mandate.
Cloud Innovation has expressed conditional support for AFRINIC’s review and potential de-recognition—provided continuity of service is guaranteed. Its proposal includes the temporary expansion of another RIR’s remit to serve Africa, while a new governance framework is developed. The goal is to safeguard Africa’s IP resources through a more stable, transparent, and accountable body.
The stakes: Who controls Africa’s internet future?
AFRINIC’s legal and operational crisis has reached a critical juncture. Courts have described it as a company in collapse, with its ability to perform core registry functions now in serious doubt. Meanwhile, uncertainty surrounding ICANN’s next steps—including possible delays or policy reversals—has prompted concern among stakeholders seeking clarity and stability.
Two divergent paths are emerging. One is the Cloud Innovation-backed reset, which calls for AFRINIC’s dissolution and rapid establishment of an interim structure under the revised ICP‑2 framework. The other is a prolonged and uncertain process influenced by ICANN’s evolving approach under its current leadership. The outcome will shape not only AFRINIC’s legacy but the future of Africa’s digital infrastructure and the integrity of regional internet governance.
