The African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC) has accused one its members of trying to “paralyse” the organization.
AFRINIC is the regional internet registry for Africa, and in that role assigns and manages IP addresses and autonomous system numbers to network operators across the continent. The organization has a long history of corruption and dysfunction. In 2021 the registry alleged that one of its members – Cloud Innovation limited (CIL) – had breached its service agreement by using IPv4 addresses inappropriately. AFRINIC initiated procedures that could have resulted in withdrawal of Cloud Innovation’s IP resources.
CIL in turn filed a series of lawsuits, and AFRINIC was unable to appoint a board or CEO, and therefore also unable to fulfill some of its functions.
After many legal struggles, AFRINIC managed to elect a board in 2025 and in February said it is close to resuming normal operations.
But on Thursday, AFRINIC offered a more pessimistic view of its situation.
“We are currently facing a web of litigation and procedural roadblocks driven by CIL, Larus Ltd, and associated advocacy campaigns,” AFRINIC stated in a post. The post mentions litigation to prevent the registry from issuing IPv4 addresses, and objections to the creation of a new committee to consider bylaw changes.
The post also claims AFRINIC has “observed campaigns encouraging uninformed members to submit pre-drafted protest letters designed to further entangle AFRINIC in court proceedings.”
“Taken together, the aforementioned actions, alongside a host of other litigations initiated directly or indirectly by CIL, clearly evidence an intention to disrupt and/or paralyse Africa’s sole Regional Internet Registry,” the post states.
“Accordingly, we urge members to look at the broader context of these disruptions,” the post continues. “A continued state of instability at AFRINIC effectively prevents the restoration of an organisation that should serve you efficiently and help to develop the region. Furthermore, the delays and soaring legal costs are actively obstructing any attempt to embark on initiatives that will give back to the community and strengthen membership (e.g, training, research).”
The Register has sought comment from Lu Heng, the CEO of CIL and Larus, and we will update this story if we hear back.
On his personal blog, Lu has argued that IPv4 addresses are assets that holders should be able to monetize.
AFRINIC has rebutted the view its policy is inappropriate by pointing out that IP addresses “are not owned as property in the traditional proprietary sense.” That view is widely held, even though the addresses are often bought, sold, and leased.
Support for AFRINIC
AFRINIC is not alone in its accusations. AfroDIG, the African Dialogue on Internet Governance, this week published a piece describing CIL’s actions as “the Long Proxy War Against Africa’s Internet Registry.”
The piece points out that AFRINIC’s community approved its revised IP address transfer policy using transparent processes, and notes that the policy “frustrates any business model that depends on treating African-issued number resources as liquid inventory for global leasing or export.”
AFRINIC’s troubles are a frequent topic of discussion in internet governance and RIR forums, and the recent APRICOT conference staged by the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) and the Asia Pacific Network Operators Group was no exception. Your correspondent participated in informal chats at the event, during which one delegate described AFRINIC’s antagonists as a virus, and orderly internet governance as a vaccine.
The Number Resource Society, of which Lu Heng is a prominent member, has also criticized APNIC and endorsed four candidates for its elections last year. None were elected, and APNIC’s governance did not waver. AFRINIC, however, is only just getting back on its feet and clearly concerned it is not yet strong enough to fend off further attacks. ®