- AFRINIC’s failed elections undermine the allocation of crucial IP resources for Africa’s digital infrastructure.
- Cloud Innovation demands urgent intervention and the appointment of a new RIR to prevent further disruption in Africa’s IP governance.
AFRINIC’s governance crisis and its impact on IP resource allocation
The ongoing governance crisis at AFRINIC, the official Regional Internet Registry (RIR) for Africa, is impacting the management of Africa’s IP resources, including IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. AFRINIC is central to the fair allocation of IP addresses. However, internal struggles, including the annulment of its 2025 board election due to an “unverified proxy dispute,” have exposed serious flaws in its governance. The invalidation of votes further undermines trust in AFRINIC’s ability to oversee Africa’s digital future.
This governance breakdown threatens the stability of IP address distribution in Africa, a critical issue for sectors such as telecommunications, e-commerce, and cloud computing. As Africa’s digital economy grows, reliable IP management becomes even more essential. Yet, AFRINIC’s failure to provide transparent governance jeopardizes these developments and creates uncertainty in the allocation of key resources.
Also read: AFRINIC election: Voter fraud uncovered as ECom member threatens to resign
Also read: Why AFRINIC’s election security needs stronger legal guarantees in Mauritius
Cloud Innovation’s call for reform and the role of ICANN
Cloud Innovation, AFRINIC’s third-largest member, is pushing for AFRINIC’s dissolution. The company argues that AFRINIC no longer has the capacity to manage Africa’s IP resources. They are calling for ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) and the NRO (Number Resource Organization) to appoint a new Regional Internet Registry (RIR) to replace AFRINIC.
Cloud Innovation’s call highlights the need for a trusted body to oversee IP allocation in Africa. The company’s stance reflects a growing concern over AFRINIC’s governance failure. As IP addresses are essential for Africa’s digital infrastructure, ensuring their fair distribution is critical. ICANN’s role in this process remains important, even amid concerns about its involvement. The crisis at AFRINIC underscores the need for a stable, transparent system to manage Africa’s IP resources.
