- AFRINIC’s reputation across Africa’s internet community has sharply declined amid governance failures, political entanglements, and contested leadership.
- Restoring confidence will require credible reform, transparency, and renewed community participation.
Reputation under strain
AFRINIC once held a respected position as Africa’s Regional Internet Registry (RIR), managing IP address allocations and representing African interests in global internet governance. Over time, however, its reputation among African network operators, civil society, and policy stakeholders has deteriorated.
The organisation’s ongoing governance crisis — including board dysfunction, legal disputes, and the appointment of a court receiver — has eroded confidence in its ability to act as an impartial steward of Africa’s internet resources. The annulment of the June 2025 board election, despite broad member participation, symbolised a wider collapse of legitimacy.
Stakeholders who once regarded AFRINIC as a foundation of regional digital development now view it as a cautionary example of mismanagement and poor accountability.
Also read: AFRINIC’s September elections were a flagrant violation of its own bylaws
Governance failures and communication breakdowns
Members across several countries report a widening disconnect between AFRINIC’s leadership and its community. The lack of consistent communication and transparent decision-making has allowed misinformation and mistrust to grow. Many African ISPs and infrastructure providers say they no longer understand who represents their interests within the organisation.
AFRINIC has struggled to balance operational continuity with independence. The absence of an elected board has further deepened concern over legitimacy. Key decisions — from membership audits to policy implementations — now appear administrative rather than community-driven.
AFRINIC’s weakened image could discourage new participants from joining Africa’s regional internet ecosystem, shifting influence toward foreign entities and undermining the continent’s digital sovereignty.
Also read: Judge Bellepeau resigns from AFRINIC investigation after injunction
Institutional neutrality questioned
A major factor behind the erosion of trust is the perception that AFRINIC is no longer neutral. Past legal battles, allegations of data misuse, and reports of political interference have painted the registry as vulnerable to external influence. These perceptions damage not just the organisation’s credibility but also its relationships with global partners such as ICANN and other Regional Internet Registries.
Neutrality and independence were once central to AFRINIC’s mandate. Losing these traits risks weakening Africa’s voice in global internet governance.
Rebuilding trust through reform and participation
Reform within AFRINIC must begin with transparent governance structures and community empowerment. Stakeholders widely agree that future elections, policy discussions, and operational decisions must be led by members rather than administrators or state-appointed officials.
A clear code of ethics for leadership, transparent financial audits, and open channels for community feedback would help stabilise perception. Public consultations and regional engagement sessions could also signal a return to bottom-up governance principles.
African internet stakeholders continue to emphasise that the registry’s strength lies in its community base. Restoring that opportunity depends on AFRINIC’s willingness to acknowledge its failures, invite scrutiny, and rebuild its processes in the open. Only then can the organisation begin to repair its damaged image and regain the confidence of Africa’s digital community.
