How AFRINIC became a battleground for internet control

• Cloud Innovation leads calls for AFRINIC’s dissolution after failed elections and governance breakdown.
• ICANN’s intervention risks undermining Africa’s bottom-up internet governance model.

AFRINIC’s collapse: A crisis of governance

AFRINIC, the African Network Information Centre, is in crisis. The latest controversy stems from a botched election. A “unverified proxy dispute” led to the invalidation of votes, further eroding trust in AFRINIC’s leadership. Years of mismanagement have now resulted in a collapse of governance. Cloud Innovation, AFRINIC’s third-largest member, is calling for AFRINIC’s dissolution, citing “unworkable election standards” as a key factor. They argue that the only solution is the establishment of a new Regional Internet Registry (RIR) to manage Africa’s IP resources.

Also Read: How AFRINIC’s board elections became a political battlefield

ICANN’s attempted intervention: Overstepping its role?

As AFRINIC falters, external forces have stepped in. ICANN, the global internet authority, has pushed for a change in AFRINIC’s leadership. Critics argue that ICANN is trying to “pick AFRINIC’s leaders” and undermine regional governance. This intervention threatens Africa’s bottom-up internet model. ICANN’s efforts to gain control of the situation may deepen the crisis.

Also Read: Why AFRINIC’s fallout has global implications for internet governance

Africa’s digital autonomy at risk

The AFRINIC crisis has broader implications for Africa’s digital future. AFRINIC’s failures threaten the continent’s internet infrastructure and long-term development. Cloud Innovation’s push for a new RIR is seen as a necessary reset. If external forces, like ICANN, gain control, Africa’s digital autonomy could be at risk, weakening the continent’s ability to manage its own resources.