AFRINIC
AFRINIC designated a ‘declared company’ by Prime Minister of Mauritius
AFRINIC, Africa’s internet registry, has been designated a ‘declared company’ by Mauritius’ Prime Minister amid mounting legal and operational failures.
Headline
AFRINIC, Africa’s internet registry, has been designated a ‘declared company’ by Mauritius’ Prime Minister amid mounting legal and operational failures.
Context
The Prime Minister of Mauritius has issued a General Notice designating AFRINIC, the internet registry for Africa, as a a ‘declared company’. Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam issued the notice on July 18, 2025, thrusting the years-long saga that has involved corruption, abuse of power, mismanagement, and a litany of lawsuits even deeper into the political spotlight.
Evidence
Pending intelligence enrichment.
Analysis
In the notice, the Prime Minister names the failure of the two court-appointed receivers to fulfil their tasks to process an election, recognises that no new IP addresses have been allocated through AFRINIC since November 2024, and enjoins the Registrar of Companies to investigate the affairs of the company and produce a report. By designating the company a declared company, the Prime Minister is invoking a formal classification made under the Companies Act. It essentially identifies the issues happening within AFRINIC as of national interest, and is likely to further increase the scrutiny the organisation is under. Enhanced oversight – the company may become subject to more rigorous monitoring or regulatory control. Restricted disclosure or investigation – certain types of investigations into such companies might require special authorization.
Key Points
- AFRINIC’s designation under national interest laws triggers a formal investigation into mismanagement, election failures, and halted IP address allocation.
- The move follows annulled elections, legal disputes, and the registry’s inability to serve Africa’s internet infrastructure for eight months.
Actions
Pending intelligence enrichment.
