AFRINIC: Prof. Adewale Adedokun, Prof. Abdelaziz Hilali take leadership helm, full board list - ITREALMS

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The African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC), the Regional Internet Registry serving Africa, has officially ushered in a new era of leadership with the appointment of Prof. Emmanuel Adewale Adedokun as Chairman of the Board and Prof. Abdelaziz Hilali as Vice-Chairman, reports ITREALMS.

This development comes at a crucial moment for AFRINIC and Africa’s digital ecosystem. 

AFRALO chair, Hadia Elminiawi appointed to AFRINIC NomCom - ITREALMS

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The chairperson of the African Regional At-Large Organization (AFRALO), Hadia Elminiawi, has been appointed to the Nomination Committee (NomCom) of the African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC), reports ITREALMS.

According to the public statement available to ITREALMS, the six-man committee included Mrs. Hadia El Miniawi – Northern Africa, Mr. Houegnon Geoffroy Bonou – Western Africa, Mr. Albert Kamga – Central Africa, Prof. Madara Ogot – Southern Africa, Mr. Godfrey Sserwamukoko – Eastern Africa, and Mr. Yagianath Rosunee – Indian Ocean.

AFRINIC, Court Receiver pledge full cooperation to companies' registrar - ITREALMS

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Following the Mauritian government's decision to declare the African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC) Ltd a "declared company," the court-appointed receiver and the AFRINIC team have publicly committed to full cooperation with the impending investigation, reports ITREALMS.

This pledge comes as AFRINIC commenced allocation of IPv4/IPv6 resources, as the government initiated a probe into the affairs of the regional internet registry, citing "questionable" legal processes and operational disruptions.

AFRINIC: Mauritius probes questionable receivership - ITREALMS

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The government of Mauritius has initiated a high-level investigation into the affairs of the African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC) Ltd, a company currently under receivership, citing a "questionable" legal process and significant reputational damage to the island nation, reports ITREALMS.

According to a General Notice (No. 1045 of 2025) published in the Extraordinary edition of the Mauritius Government Gazette on Friday, July 18, 2025, and available to ITREALMS, AFRINIC, the designated Regional Internet Registry for the African continent, has been officially declared a "declared company" under Section 230 of the Companies Act.

AFRINIC: Battle for soul of Africa's digital space by Remmy Nweke - ITREALMS

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In a high-stakes dispute sending shockwaves through Africa's digital landscape, REMMY NWEKE reveals how the future of Internet governance hangs precariously in the balance. He explores a crucial 'Friends of the Court' initiative that could shape the continent's digital destiny.

Significance of Amicus Curiae brief:
In a significant development for Internet governance in Africa, a group of experts has filed an Amicus Curiae brief in a high-profile case involving the African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC), the regional Internet registry for Africa, and Cloud Innovation Limited (CIL), a company registered in Mauritius in the Indian Ocean.

AFRINIC Election annulled over irregularities, sets Sept. 30 for new exercise - ITREALMS

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The African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC) has confirmed the annulment of its last election due to alleged irregularities, reports ITREALMS.

A public statement to members available to ITREALMS, AFRINIC also announced new elections to take place by September 30, 2025, following the annulment of the June 2025 elections.

Re-Saving AFRINIC from itself by Katim Seringe Touray - ITREALMS

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"WE are writing to address our claim for libel regarding an article titled ‘Saving AFRINIC from itself by Katim Seringe Touray - ITREALMS,' authored by Katim Seringe Touray.

This article was initially published on the ‘ITREALMS’ website on 7 April 2023, and is still accessible as of the date of this letter which is publicly made available at the above URL.

Stable Internet: ICANN expresses confidence on AFRINIC Receiver, reiterates commitment - ITREALMS

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The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) with the global mission to help ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet, has reiterated its commitment to the revitalization of the African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC), declaring its confidence on the Official Receiver, Mr. Vasoodayven Virasami, reports ITREALMS.

"We have confidence in the Official Receiver's progress to date," ICANN official declared.

This became evident with the appointment of ICANN Vice President and Chief Technology Officers, Mr. John Crain as a resource available in Mauritius, and as necessary going forward, to support the Official Receiver.

Saving AFRINIC from itself by Katim Seringe Touray - ITREALMS

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The ongoing legal saga of the African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC), the Regional Internet Registry (RIR) responsible for allocating Internet addresses, including IPv4 addresses, in Africa is at the nexus of business, technology, the law, and international politics, and efforts to resolve it would have to take these issues into account.

AFRINIC has launches survey Internet measurement in Africa - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC) has launched a survey with the aim of assessing the current status of Internet measurement in Africa, reports ITREALMS.

The Centre is the Regional Internet Registry (RIR) for the African region and responsible for the allocation and management of Internet numbers (IPv4, IPv6 & ASNs)  to name a few.

 AFRINIC, ITREALMS reports, said that the available measurement infrastructure on the continent as well as the gap in the infrastructure and the relevant skills needed to be filled. 

Also AFRINIC revealed it would use the responses as guide in building Internet measurement programmes to train network operators, regulators, end users, and other stakeholders in the forthcoming summits, conferences, and *nog meetings across the continent.

The survey, ITREALMS gathered is  available in both English and French, even as the deadline for filling the survey is 28 February 2018.

Chuks Egbune/DoP

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AFRINIC sets up NomCom to replace West African board seat 2

ITREALMS:

The African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC) has set up a four-man ad-hoc Nomination Committee (NomCom) to replace the board seat 2, on or before end of May this year, reports ITRealms.

AFRINIC, ITRealms gathered is the Regional Internet Registry (RIR) for Africa with headquarters in Ebene City, Mauritius.

The replacement, according to the chief executive officer, AFRINIC, Mr. Alan Barrett, has become expedient following the recent resignation of its else while chairman, Mr. Sunday Folayan, who also is the president of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA).

Barrett disclosed that the AFRINIC Board has appointed the NomCom to handle the election for Board seat 2 (Western Africa), which is vacant following the resignation of Sunday Folayan, who was the chairman of AFRINIC until his resignation.

The NomCom members, he said, include Mustapha Ben Jemaa (Northern Africa), Douglas Onyango (Eastern Africa), Didier R. Kasole (Central Africa), S. Moonesamy (Board representative, Indian Ocean).

Currently, ITRealms also gathered that the eight-man elected AFRINIC board has only West African, Mr. Seun Ojedeji (Nigerian) representing the Non-Regional Africa since July 1, 2016 and whose tenure will expire by June 2019.

ITRealms further gathered that with the resignation of Sunday Folayan, Mr. Abibu Rashid Ntahigiye from East-Africa and whose tenure as board member is due by June 30^th, this year, assumed the position of the chairman, while Christian D. Bope from DRC Congo and representing the Central Africa is the Vice chairman and whose seat will expire by June 30, 2020.

AFRINIC, ITRealms recalled was set up in 1997 by several early Internet adopters in Africa, during an INET workshop in Malaysia.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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‘NCC’s CSIRT to complement ngCERT’

ITREALMS:

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is setting up a telecommunications targeted sectorial Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) centre, just as there are enormous potential for growth and investment, reports ITRealms.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, made this disclosure in his remarks to the 27TH AFRINIC Meeting (AFRINIC-27)  on-going in Lagos.

According to the EVC, the NCC Computer Security Incident Response Team center, would collaborate with the compliment the efforts of the Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT) which is domicile in the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

He explained that CSIRT would complement ngCERT in tackling issues that relate to the telecommunications industry in the fight against cybercrime.

Equally, he noted highlighted that NCC at the international level, is partnering with International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to set up Africa Regional Cybersecurity Center (RCC) in Abuja.

“The center will be used for Africa Regional Cybersecurity information sharing (cyber-attacks, threats, malwares and viruses etc) and also to train countries within the Africa sub-region on Cybersecurity related issues,” he said.

Further, he said, Broadband access is key to any national development agenda, and the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NBP) 2013 has set a target of 30 per cent penetration by 2018,

“The Commission (NCC) recognizes its prime responsibility in the actualization of the NBP, as one of the strategic objectives revered in its 8-Point Agenda, “facilitation of broadband penetration” which will enable the NCC meet and even surpass the 30 per cent target of broadband penetration in the country by 2018, as at September 2017 (Broadband Commission 2017), the Nigeria broadband penetration stands at 21.8 per cent..

In addition, he pointed out at the meeting with the theme “Taking the African Internet to the Next Level through Policy, Collaboration and Education” that the African Regional Internet Registry AFRINIC, has contributed a lot in providing platforms for Internet Development in Africa, from about 4.5 million Internet Users in 2002 to over 388 Million users in 2017.

Danbatta further said that with regards to growing broadband penetration in Nigeria, the Commission has planned for two slots in the 700MHz band have been earmarked for Commercial Broadband deployment;  The 800MHz band also known as the Digital Dividend 1 has been re-planned and licensed for 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) deployment;  and the 900MHz E-GSM band has been licensed for 4G LTE deployment;.

The NCC boss equally said that 70/80GHz band (E-Band) has been opened to facilitate Broadband deployment; whereas 2.3 GHz band was licensed for 4G LTE deployment; part of the 1800MHz band has been re-farmed by some Mobile Operators for 4G LTE deployments.

“This means that there is enormous potential for growth and investment,” he declared.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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Pix: Prof. Danbatta

AFRINIC, AFRALO renew MoU @ICANN59

ITRealms:

The African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC) has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the African Regional At-Large Organisation (AFRALO) to recommit to continuous to work together in improving the development of Internet ecosystem in the region, reports ITRealms.

AFRINIC, ITRealms reports, is the regional Internet registry (RIR) for Africa with headquarter in Ebene City, Mauritius, while AFRALO prides itself as the home of the individual Internet user community for the African region and who are interested in the developments within the Internet Cooperation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) as a way of contributing to shaping the future of the Internet.

ITRealms also reports that the renewed MoU was signed by the duo of registry’s chief executive officer, Mr. Alan Barrett and AFRALO chairman, Dr. Abudelaziz Hilali, who doubles as the president of Moroccan Internet Society at the ICANN public policy forum which ended in Johannesburg at the weekend.

The initial collaboration MoU, ITRealms gathered, was signed since 2013 and latest is expected to build upon the strong foundations already in place, continuing the commitment to work together and combining efforts for the benefit of the AFRINIC community and the AFRALO At-Large community.

In the MoU, AFRINIC and AFRALO agree to continue conducting capacity building events, create awareness and promote regional and global participation for Africa’s Internet stakeholders on matters of Internet development.

In his remarks at the signing ceremony, AFRINIC CEO, Barrett, commended the ongoing collaboration between the two, saying that it has provided a broader platform for advancing the case for Internet and development in Africa.

“As our communities and focus areas overlap considerably, it is in our mutual interests to come together to create and share awareness and encourage participation in African and global Internet governance matters,” he said.

In his own part, the AFRALO chair, Hilali appreciated AFRINIC for previous support and collaboration and commended the decision to advance this path, saying it’s for the benefit of the region.

In attendance to witness the ceremony was the chairman, AFRINIC Board, Mr. Sunday Folayan and At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) chairman, Alan Greenberg among others.

Remmy Nweke/ED, OPs

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Pix 1: AFRINIC CEO Alan Barrett in handshake with AFRALO chairman Aziz Hilali while ALAC chair Alan Greenberg looks on after the signing.
Pix 2: The signing proper taking place.

NIRA Academy, AfriNIC sign MoU on IPv6 certification, capacity building

ITRealms:

The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) Academy and Mauritius-based African Network Information Center (AFRINIC) Ltd, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop and certify skills in Internet Number Resources Management and Internet Protocol version Six (IPv6) in Nigeria, reports ITRealms.

NIRA Academy, ITRealms gathered was established by NiRA, the managers of the country code Top Level Domain Name (.ng ccTLD) to breed Nigerians that will take full advantage of the jobs and business opportunities, wealth creation and financial rewards that the .ng domain name string has to offer, while AFRINIC is the Regional Registry for Internet Number Resources serving the African Internet Community. Thus among the world’s five Regional Internet Registries (RIR) that manage IP Addresses and Autonomous System numbers based on policies defined by the community.

Confirming this development to ITRealms in a press statement, the Dean of NIRA Academy, Mr. Sikiru A Shehu, said he signed on behalf of NiRA, whilst the chief executive officer (CEO), AFRINIC Limited, Mr. Alan P. Barrett, signed on behalf of AFRINIC.

According to Shehu, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was actually effective on Tuesday 24th January 2017, in Nairobi, Kenya, to develop and certify skills in Internet Number Resources Management and IPv6 in Nigeria.

Shehu also said that the Memorandum of Understanding creates an accessibility to International IPv6 certification for Nigerian System and Network Engineers, and provides the opportunity for Nigeria to increase the number of internationally recognised and skilled IPv6 engineers, following the pattern established by AFRINIC. The trainings would be conducted at the NiRA Academy, using AFRINIC course wares and certified trainers for the certification programmes.

Further, he said, the signing ceremony was witnessed by key players within the African and Global Internet Community, including the President/CEO of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Mr. Goran Marby; Ghanaian Internet Pioneer, Prof. Nii Quaynor, representing the African Internet Community, NIRA President, Revd Sunday Folayan who is also the Chairman of the AFRINIC Board, Immediate Past President NIRA , Mrs. Mary Uduma, NIRA Board of Trustees member, Emmanuel Edet, NiRA's Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Edith Udeagu and AFRINIC Board/ICANN ALAC member Seun Ojedeji.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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Adiel Akplogan joins ICANN as VP, Technical Engagement

ITRealms:

The immediate past Chief Executive Officer of AfriNIC, the Internet Numbers Resource Registry for Africa, Mr. Adiel Akplogan has been appointed the Vice President for Technical Engagement at the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), reports ITRealms.

Akplogan, an Internet technology expert, ITRealms reports was the CEO of AfriNIC since 2004 until last December.

Confirming this to ITRealms, Special Advisor to the President for Global Stakeholder Engagement, Sally Costerton said that Akplogan’s role as VP Technical Engagement is aimed at strengthening ties with the technical community.

Costerton expressed delight over Akplogan’s appointment, describing him as a highly respected contributor to the Internet community and his experienced leadership will reinforce and deepen ICANN's long term participation in the technical community of which it is a critical part.

Also, Costerton told ITRealms that Akplogan is among the original Internet pioneers in West Africa, where he has played a critical role in setting up and managing a Togolese-based CAFENet, one of the first private Internet Service Providers in the region.

Reacting to his appointment, Akplogan declared, "It's my sincere hope that I can help ICANN achieve the high level of operational excellence that it is aiming for.  We are all striving to maintain and improve a global communication and information system that will define our future on multiple levels," he said.

Additionally, ITRealms gathered that in his new position, Akplogan will help ICANN conduct technical engagement and outreach, as well as provide some valuable links to the ICT community on the African continent, since he was instrumental in establishing several technical coordination bodies such as the African Network Operators Group (AfNOG), the African ccTLD Managers Association (AfTLD), AfricaCERT and the Africa Internet Summit (AIS).

Further, ITRealms reports that Akplogan will be based in Montreal, Canada and will assume his new position on March 1, 2015.

 

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Anne-Rachel Inné joins AFRINIC as COO

Anne-Rachel Inne

African Information and Communications Technology (ICT) diva, and the current Manager for Africa Liaison at the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), Ms Anne-Rachel Inné is to join the African Network Information Center (AFriNIC) as the chief operations officer (COO)
AfrNIC is the continental's regional Internet registry (RIR) for Africa with its headquarters in Cybercity, Ebene, Mauritius.
Anne`s appointment takes effect from Wednesday, August 15, 2012 after over 14 years experience in the ICANN and internet community.


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