AFRINIC
How ICANN’s CEO increased his authority over regional registries
ICANN CEO Kurt Lindqvist gains power to derecognise AFRINIC; Cloud Innovation calls for new governance and continuity.
Headline
ICANN CEO Kurt Lindqvist gains power to derecognise AFRINIC; Cloud Innovation calls for new governance and continuity.
Context
AFRINIC , once tasked with managing Africa’s IP resources, is now widely viewed as a failed registry. Years of internal dysfunction culminated in a court-overseen board election in June 2025, which was annulled entirely—discarding all votes—over a single unresolved proxy dispute. This outcome exposed what observers describe as unworkable election standards and a governance framework in crisis. Amid this breakdown, ICANN introduced a significant revision to its ICP‑2 documentation , originally designed to guide the creation of new Regional Internet Registries (RIRs). The updated document, titled Implementation and Assessment Procedures for ICP‑2 Compliance, now enables ICANN to initiate compliance reviews and revoke recognition of existing RIRs—a shift that alters long-standing governance dynamics. In response, Cloud Innovation , AFRINIC’s third-largest member, has formally called for ICANN and the Number Resource Organization (NRO) to appoint a successor RIR immediately.
Evidence
Pending intelligence enrichment.
Analysis
Historically, ICANN’s role in RIR recognition was limited to coordination and support within a bottom-up, multistakeholder framework. The latest ICP‑2 update, however, marks a departure from this model. It introduces procedures that allow de-recognition of an RIR without requiring regional consensus—something never previously formalised. Some within the community see this as a consolidation of power. Under the leadership of CEO Kurt Lindqvist , ICANN is perceived by critics as shifting from neutral facilitator to central authority. This evolution has raised concerns over whether decisions are still being guided by consensus or increasingly shaped by top-down oversight. For stakeholders in Africa, the implications of this shift are particularly significant, as regional autonomy risks being overshadowed by externally driven processes. Also read: AFRINIC’s bylaw breaches reveal deepening governance collapse Also read: NomCom composition controversy: Does AFRINIC’s plan breach its own rules? In the face of AFRINIC’s operational collapse, Cloud Innovation is leading calls for a reset. The company, which previously pursued legal reforms to stabilise AFRINIC, now argues that the recent election annulment shows democratic processes under the current structure are no longer viable. It has called for AFRINIC to be wound up under Mauritian law , and replaced with a new institution capable of fulfilling its mandate.
Key Points
- Revised ICP‑2 empowers ICANN CEO Kurt Lindqvist to revoke RIR status without regional consensus.
- Cloud Innovation calls for AFRINIC’s dissolution and transition to new governance to protect Africa’s internet future.
Actions
Pending intelligence enrichment.
