- ISPs face higher costs and stalled network rollouts.
- Businesses lose investor confidence amid AFRINIC turmoil.
AFRINIC’s legal chaos disrupts resource allocation
When AFRINIC annulled its 2025 election, it deepened an already serious governance crisis. Memberships approved without the Official Receiver’s consent were ruled invalid by the Mauritian Supreme Court, leaving many companies without legitimate voting rights. Critics argue this undermined court authority and confused operators waiting for lawful, transparent resource decisions. For ISPs and enterprises, the result has been stalled allocations and unclear membership status, making planning nearly impossible.
Also Read: How AFRINIC’s board elections became a political battlefield
Also Read: Why AFRINIC’s fallout has global implications for internet governance
Rising costs for ISPs
ISPs across Africa rely on AFRINIC to provide affordable IP addresses. Some have delayed rural connectivity projects entirely, undermining efforts to expand affordable internet access. The legal limbo has also complicated peering and interconnection agreements, as other networks hesitate to sign contracts without clarity on address legitimacy. For ISPs, AFRINIC’s decisions have turned technical operations into legal risks.
Also read: What losing AFRINIC would mean for African ISPs and networks
Business growth and investment blocked
The uncertainty extends beyond ISPs. Cloud services, fintech companies, and e-commerce platforms all depend on reliable and lawful access to IP resources. With membership validity in question and allocations challenged, businesses cannot plan long-term infrastructure. Startups that once looked to Africa’s fast-growing digital market now face rising costs and uncertain legal protections, reducing competitiveness on the global stage.
The way forward
Stakeholders like Cloud Innovation argue AFRINIC has proven incapable of safeguarding ISPs and enterprises. They call for ICP-2 to be triggered, allowing another Regional Internet Registry to step in and restore trust. Such a move would stabilise resource allocation, protect business planning, and rebuild investor confidence. Until that happens, ISPs will continue to pay more, businesses will remain paralysed, and Africa’s digital economy will stay hostage to AFRINIC’s failed governance.
