Governance
How AFRINIC’s Legal Freeze Impacted Internet Operations in Africa
A disputed proxy that halted an entire vote On June 23, 2025, AFRINIC held its first in-person board election in Mauritius since being placed under receivership in 2022. Just minutes before polls closed, the Nomination Committee halted voting because of a single “phantom” proxy vote. AFRINIC staff h…
Headline
A disputed proxy that halted an entire vote On June 23, 2025, AFRINIC held its first in-person board election in Mauritius since being placed under receivership in 2022. Just minutes before polls closed, the Nomination Committee halted voting because of a single “phantom” proxy…
Context
On June 23, 2025, AFRINIC held its first in-person board election in Mauritius since being placed under receivership in 2022. Just minutes before polls closed, the Nomination Committee halted voting because of a single “phantom” proxy vote. AFRINIC staff had contacted a resource holder listed under the proxy, and the individual denied authorising it. This prompted the invalidation of over 800 proxy ballots and led to the freezing of the entire election. Past AFRINIC elections had routinely accepted notarised Powers of Attorney (PoAs) under established guidelines, and many smaller networks, particularly those represented by Number Resource Limited (NRL), relied heavily on this mechanism. With 80% of NRL’s votes uncast at the time of suspension, members described the decision as excessive and disenfranchising. At least one stakeholder filed a criminal complaint in Mauritius, alleging voter confidentiality was breached and the election process was unjustifiably disrupted. ICANN also issued a formal warning on June 6, 2025, stressing that electoral fairness and transparency must be restored. Critics argue that AFRINIC should have invalidated only the disputed proxy, rather than voiding the entire election. Also read: How outdated bylaws sabotaged the AFRINIC election process
Evidence
Pending intelligence enrichment.
Analysis
Since mid-2021, AFRINIC has been caught in extensive litigation, most notably with Cloud Innovation Ltd over IP address revocation disputes. In 2022, a Mauritian court froze AFRINIC’s accounts and appointed a judicial receiver, leaving the registry without an elected board. This legal vacuum has had direct consequences: African operators reported delays in IP address and ASN allocations, slowing infrastructure development and expansion efforts. The elections were seen as a critical moment to restore governance and functionality. But on June 26, the receiver annulled the vote, and a Supreme Court ruling set a new deadline of September 30, 2025, to hold elections. In a strongly worded letter, ICANN warned on June 25 that further delays or governance lapses could lead to reassignment of AFRINIC’s RIR mandate. ICANN has requested detailed explanations on proxy vote handling, membership data access, and internal investigations. Despite pledges to improve proxy validation, AFRINIC has not clarified whether staff involved in the unauthorised call will face consequences, nor has it published a full investigation. Also read: AFRINIC’s legal failings show it doesn’t understand its own business Without timely IP resource allocations, rural connectivity lags, network upgrades are stalled, and smaller ISPs face service bottlenecks. AFRINIC’s responsibilities extend beyond administrative procedure—it is essential for ensuring the continent’s digital infrastructure keeps pace with demand. Stakeholders remain concerned that without transparent accountability and institutional reform, trust in AFRINIC will continue to erode. ICANN’s pressure, member frustrations, and missed milestones have compounded the urgency of resolving the crisis. With the court-sanctioned window closing, AFRINIC faces a critical opportunity to rerun the election credibly and re-establish its legitimacy. AFRINIC’s election turmoil is not just a local governance issue—it highlights broader challenges in digital oversight across Africa. As digital economies expand, institutions like AFRINIC must demonstrate transparency and accountability to support inclusive growth. Mismanaged elections risk alienating members and diminishing credibility in the global arena. Meanwhile, ICANN’s involvement in AFRINIC’s electoral process has sparked further concern. Though framed as oversight, its warnings and suggested audits raised questions about external influence in African internet governance. Critics argue this risks undermining AFRINIC’s autonomy and delaying crucial internal reforms. If the registry is to succeed, it must regain control of its leadership and prioritise the needs of its members over global regulatory pressure.
Key Points
- AFRINIC’s 2025 election was frozen after a single disputed proxy triggered widespread vote annulment.
- Legal battles and lack of board leadership delayed IP allocations across Africa.
- Trust and functionality hinge on restoring a credible, transparent election process.
Actions
Pending intelligence enrichment.
