AFRINIC’s use of RPKI to prevent hijacks

AFRINIC’s use of RPKI to prevent hijacks is profiled by BTW Media because published evidence links it to internet infrastructure, governance, operational dependencies, or market visibility.

• AFRINIC provides Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI) services to authenticate IP routes and combat malicious or accidental hijacks.
• RPKI improves internet stability, giving ISPs and network operators tools to protect their IP resources and customers.

How AFRINIC provides RPKI to African networks

AFRINIC offers RPKI services to its members free of charge, allowing local ISPs, content providers, and enterprises to create Route Origin Authorisations (ROAs). These ROAs tell the world, “I am the legitimate holder of this IP prefix, and only these networks should announce it.” AFRINIC also runs a hosted RPKI service, simplifying deployment for members who don’t want to operate their own Certificate Authority.

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Addressing Africa’s unique challenges

Many African networks operate on limited budgets with minimal security resources. AFRINIC’s RPKI services, combined with hands-on training and technical support, make it easier for small and medium-sized providers to adopt strong routing protections. This is crucial in a region where IP hijacks can have outsized effects on national networks, financial services, or government systems.

Global impact of RPKI deployment

By encouraging RPKI adoption, AFRINIC not only strengthens African internet infrastructure but also contributes to global routing security. RPKI helps build a more resilient, trustworthy internet by reducing the number of potential weak points worldwide. Major internet exchange points, cloud services, and global networks increasingly expect RPKI compliance from peers and partners, making it part of Africa’s integration into the broader digital economy.

AFRINIC’s training and outreach efforts

AFRINIC backs its RPKI rollout with extensive training, including webinars, workshops, and one-on-one technical support. Members learn how to create ROAs, monitor route validation, and avoid common mistakes. By making these resources accessible and multilingual, AFRINIC ensures that operators across diverse countries and contexts can secure their networks effectively.

Why RPKI matters now more than ever

As Africa’s internet expands, protecting routing integrity is essential. Growing IPv6 deployment, increased cross-border connectivity, and the rise of local content make the region more dependent on accurate, secure routing. RPKI helps safeguard not only technical infrastructure but also the economic and social activities that depend on it.