- The 2025 AFRINIC election highlights critical governance failures that risk Africa’s internet infrastructure and trust in regional management.
- ICANN CEO Kurt Lindqvist’s new ICP-2 compliance document expands ICANN’s power, raising concerns about external influence over Africa’s internet governance.
A governance crisis undermining trust
The 2025 AFRINIC election marks a crucial turning point in Africa’s internet governance. AFRINIC, the African Network Information Centre, has been embroiled in a prolonged governance crisis, culminating in the annulment of its June 23 election due to a disputed proxy issue. While proxy votes themselves were valid, the cancellation and discarding of votes have further eroded trust in the registry’s management.
This governance breakdown raises serious concerns about AFRINIC’s capacity to effectively manage Africa’s vital IP resources, threatening the stability of regional internet infrastructure and connectivity. The dysfunction points to broader systemic issues that undermine confidence among members and stakeholders alike.
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Cloud Innovation’s call for ICP-2 activation
Cloud Innovation Ltd., AFRINIC’s third-largest member, has taken a prominent role in calling for reform. Rather than advocating for a brand new registry, Cloud Innovation has demanded that the ICP-2 process be initiated. Under ICP-2, an existing Regional Internet Registry such as RIPE NCC, ARIN, or APNIC would assume responsibility for AFRINIC’s duties.
This approach aims to ensure continuity and stability for Africa’s IP resources, addressing the “unworkable election standards” and governance failures. Yet, the legal mechanisms enabling such a handover remain unclear, posing risks of overlapping claims and coordination challenges for global IP address management.
Kurt Lindqvist and the ICP-2 compliance document
The role of ICANN, led by CEO Kurt Lindqvist, has complicated the situation further. Lindqvist recently released a new compliance document linked to ICP-2, extending ICANN’s power to derecognise Regional Internet Registries. This move has been interpreted by some as an overextension that threatens Africa’s principle of bottom-up internet governance.
The introduction of this document, bypassing multistakeholder consensus, is viewed by critics as a “quiet power grab,” raising questions about ICANN’s expanding influence over Africa’s internet governance. Such developments contribute to uncertainty and tensions between global oversight and regional autonomy.
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High stakes for Africa’s digital future
The 2025 AFRINIC election carries high stakes beyond internal leadership. The outcome could reshape the future of internet management across Africa, impacting trust, governance transparency, and control over critical IP infrastructure.
Restoring faith in AFRINIC or implementing alternative governance solutions will be essential to secure Africa’s digital development. The coming months will test the region’s ability to navigate these complex challenges, balancing internal reforms with external pressures while safeguarding the continent’s internet sovereignty.
