AFRINIC accuses litigant of trying to 'paralyse' it

The African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC) has accused one of its members of attempting to "paralyse" the organization through a "web of litigation" and procedural roadblocks.

The regional internet registry, responsible for managing IP addresses and autonomous system numbers across Africa, claims that Cloud Innovation Limited (CIL) and Larus Ltd are creating deliberate obstacles that prevent it from fulfilling its core functions.

AFRINIC's statement describes a pattern of legal challenges designed to disrupt its operations. The registry says it has faced litigation aimed at preventing it from issuing IPv4 addresses and objections to the creation of new committees to consider bylaw changes. The organization also claims to have observed campaigns encouraging members to submit pre-drafted protest letters intended 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," AFRINIC stated.

The registry's troubles stem from a dispute that began in 2021 when it alleged that Cloud Innovation had breached its service agreement by using IPv4 addresses inappropriately. AFRINIC initiated procedures that could have resulted in withdrawal of the company's IP resources, prompting CIL to file a series of lawsuits.

The legal battles created a governance crisis that prevented AFRINIC from appointing a board or CEO for an extended period, effectively paralyzing its ability to function. The organization only managed to elect a board in 2025 and says it is close to resuming normal operations, though recent statements suggest ongoing challenges.

AFRINIC warns that continued instability prevents the restoration of an organization that should serve its members efficiently and develop the region. The registry says delays and soaring legal costs are actively obstructing initiatives that would benefit the community, such as training and research programs.

The dispute centers on fundamental questions about IP address ownership and monetization. Cloud Innovation's CEO Lu Heng has argued that IPv4 addresses are assets that holders should be able to monetize. AFRINIC has rebutted this view, pointing out that IP addresses "are not owned as property in the traditional proprietary sense," though they are often bought, sold, and leased.

AFRINIC is not alone in its accusations. AfroDIG, the African Dialogue on Internet Governance, has published a piece describing CIL's actions as "the Long Proxy War Against Africa's Internet Registry." The organization notes that AFRINIC's community approved its revised IP address transfer policy using transparent processes, and that the policy "frustrates any business model that depends on treating African-issued number resources as liquid inventory for global leasing or export."

The dispute has become a frequent topic of discussion in internet governance and RIR forums. At the recent APRICOT conference staged by APNIC and the Asia Pacific Network Operators Group, delegates 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 criticized APNIC and endorsed candidates for its elections, though none were elected and APNIC's governance remained stable.

AFRINIC's situation highlights the vulnerability of regional internet registries to legal and political pressures, particularly when they are recovering from internal governance crises. The organization's ability to fulfill its mandate of managing Africa's internet resources depends on its capacity to withstand these challenges while maintaining transparent and community-driven processes.

As AFRINIC attempts to rebuild its operations, the outcome of this dispute will likely have significant implications for internet governance in Africa and the broader debate over IP address ownership and monetization rights.