Mauritius PM’s rationale for designating AFRINIC a declared company – Why the PM stepped in

Mauritius PM’s rationale for designating AFRINIC a declared company – Why the PM stepped in is profiled by BTW Media because published evidence links it to internet infrastructure, governance, operational dependencies, or market visibility.

• Mauritius declares AFRINIC a “declared company”, placing it under legal oversight following election failures and governance concerns.
• Cloud Innovation calls for AFRINIC’s replacement and recommends ICANN appoint a new RIR for Africa’s IP management.

The Prime Minister declares AFRINIC a ‘declared company’ under national law

Mauritius Prime Minister has designated AFRINIC as a “declared company” under the country’s Companies Act. This legal designation formally classifies AFRINIC under provisions of Mauritius’ Companies Act, allowing court-appointed procedures to proceed. The decision follows a period marked by legal proceedings, cancelled elections, and internal administrative challenges related to AFRINIC’s role as the Regional Internet Registry (RIR) for Africa.

The Prime Minister’s decision comes after AFRINIC’s failure to conduct a fair election process on 23 June, where one unverified proxy vote led to the invalidation of hundreds of legitimate votes—leaving members disenfranchised and confirming, in the eyes of many stakeholders, that democracy within AFRINIC is “unworkable”. The government’s action reflects a growing consensus that AFRINIC has entered a state of collapse and can no longer be trusted to manage the continent’s critical internet number resources.

Also Read: Did ICANN’s lawyer illegally visit AFRINIC when the Official Receiver was away?
Also Read: AFRINIC designated a ‘declared company’ by Prime Minister of Mauritius

A necessary reset

For Cloud Innovation, AFRINIC’s third‑largest member, the Prime Minister’s decision marks a turning point in a long‑unfolding governance collapse. The company argues the registry has become so dysfunctional that external legal intervention was the only realistic way to protect Africa’s IP address space. Cloud Innovation has urged that other Regional Internet Registry (RIR) could assume management responsibilities to ensure continuity and restore technical stability.

Beyond the courtroom, attention has turned to ICANN CEO Kurt Lindqvist, whose recent involvement has raised questions about the balance of influence during AFRINIC’s wind‑up. Sources noted the quiet arrival of a legal officer linked to ICANN at AFRINIC’s offices while the court‑appointed receiver was away — prompting concerns about timing and propriety.

For many observers, Mauritius’ action is seen as a legitimate response to an unworkable status quo. The message is clear: if the system is broken, words alone won’t repair it. Reform requires decisive steps — and Mauritius has now taken them.