Dear Members of the AFRINIC Community,
In light of recent developments in AFRINIC’s governance and the ongoing legal proceedings, the Number Resource Society (NRS) is reaching out to reaffirm our commitment to you, the members, and to encourage unity and confidence as we navigate the turbulence ahead. The situation may seem uncertain – especially with Cloud Innovation Ltd.’s recent court action to wind up AFRINIC – but we urge you to have faith in our collective mission and continue supporting NRS’s efforts on your behalf.
Cloud Innovation’s Action and Support for NRS
Many of you are aware that Cloud Innovation Ltd., a long-standing AFRINIC stakeholder, has been deeply involved in seeking solutions to AFRINIC’s governance crisis. Cloud Innovation initially pushed for fair elections under court oversight, but after the June 2025 Board elections were annulled over “one disputed proxy” vote – an action which “silenced hundreds of valid votes” , they reluctantly concluded that “a credible election has become impossible” under current conditions . Consequently, on 11 July 2025 Cloud Innovation announced it is “supporting the formal winding-up of AFRINIC as the only viable path forward to protect the African Internet community’s interests” .
We understand that this call for AFRINIC’s wind-up (i.e. dissolution) may cause concern. Please be assured: NRS’s understanding of Cloud Innovation’s intention is to safeguard the community’s future, not to abandon it. In fact, Cloud Innovation’s actions have consistently aligned with the goals NRS stands for – transparency, rule of law, and member-centric governance. It was Cloud Innovation who applied to the court to appoint a Receiver for AFRINIC in 2023, with the aim of restoring good governance . This court-appointed Receiver’s mandate was to stabilize AFRINIC and oversee elections. Cloud Innovation took that step “motivated by a genuine desire to see AFRINIC thrive under sound leadership and transparent practices” .
Notably, we understands that Cloud Innovation fully supports NRS’s mission to empower members. NRS – as a member-driven advocacy group – facilitated broad member involvement by arranging proxy voting for hundreds of members who might otherwise have been unable to vote . Both Cloud Innovation and NRS have consistently argued for transparency, fairness, and a truly member-driven AFRINIC . In short, one of AFRINIC’s largest stakeholders, Cloud Innovation, stands with NRS and with you, the members. This solidarity should give you confidence that NRS’s work has the backing of those dedicated to a better AFRINIC.
Responding to the Receiver’s Advisory
We are also aware that on 09 July 2025, the Court-appointed Receiver (Mr. G. Dabee) issued an advisory cautioning members about third-party communications – specifically naming NRS’s outreach. In that notice, the Receiver reminded members that AFRINIC “has no affiliation with NRS or any other party and does not endorse any claims or communications made by them” . We acknowledge that NRS is an independent entity with no formal link to AFRINIC’s current administration – indeed, NRS was formed by concerned members as a grassroots initiative to represent member interests. However, we respectfully disagree with the implications of the Receiver’s message, and consider portions of it improper in tone.
While vigilance in any legal matter is always prudent, the Receiver’s communication should not deter members from legitimate collective action. NRS’s legitimacy comes from you – the community of AFRINIC members – and from the broad support of stakeholders like Cloud Innovation who desire reform. It is precisely NRS’s independence from the existing AFRINIC apparatus that enables us to advocate solely for members’ rights and good governance, free of the encumbrances that led to AFRINIC’s current impasse. We believe the Receiver’s advisory, though perhaps well-intended, was misplaced: discouraging members from organizing or signing Power of Attorney (PoA) documents en masse can have a chilling effect on the very community engagement needed to fix AFRINIC’s problems.
To clarify any misconceptions: NRS is a non-profit coalition of AFRINIC members and Internet stakeholders dedicated to fairness and transparency. Our recent outreach inviting you to online discussions and PoA signings is aimed at uniting the membership’s voice, so that your votes and views cannot be ignored or invalidated again. Nothing in our activities seeks to undermine AFRINIC’s stability; on the contrary, NRS exists to ensure the long-term stability of Internet number resource governance in Africa by empowering members. We operate with full transparency about our objectives, and we remain open to dialogue with any officials or the Receiver’s office to clarify our role.
Moving Forward: Your Support and Trust Are Crucial
In this extraordinary period, with a court-appointed Receiver in charge and a possible legal wind-up on the horizon, unity among AFRINIC members is more important than ever. We urge all members to remain calm but engaged. Have faith that by standing together and supporting NRS, you are taking meaningful action toward a positive outcome. Here are a few important points and requests as we move forward:
• Remember the Context: The current Receiver was appointed as a result of Cloud Innovation’s court petition to improve AFRINIC’s governance . Ironically, the Receiver’s drastic decision to annul the June election over a single disputed vote has deepened the crisis by disenfranchising the community’s will . NRS believes your voices must never be silenced again. We will continue to assert that the hundreds of valid votes cast by members should have been respected.
• NRS Has Community Backing: NRS’s advocacy is bolstered by key community players. Cloud Innovation’s public statements and actions demonstrate a shared vision with NRS for a transparent and member-focused AFRINIC . This means your choice to work with NRS is reinforced by the support of influential members who want what’s best for the African Internet community.
• Power of Attorney = Collective Empowerment: We encourage you to confidently consider signing the Power of Attorney (PoA) that NRS has proposed, if you have not done so already. Granting NRS your PoA authorizes us to represent your voting rights and interests collectively. This does not strip you of your rights; instead, it amplifies your voice by uniting it with others. By entrusting NRS with your proxy, you join hundreds of fellow members in creating a solid front that can effectively influence outcomes – be it in court proceedings, potential wind-up arrangements, or any future reorganization of the registry. Your trust empowers NRS to act decisively on behalf of the community.
• Stay Informed Through Multiple Channels: While official AFRINIC communications (including from the Receiver) are one source of information, we advise members to stay informed by also following updates from NRS and other community discussions. Given the fast-evolving situation, verify critical news through official sources and trusted community-led outlets. We strive to provide accurate, timely information through our channels. If you have any doubts about communications you receive, NRS is ready to help clarify them, just as we expect the AFRINIC Secretariat or Receiver’s office to do. Do not hesitate to reach out to us with questions.
• Solidarity and Patience: Finally, we ask for your continued solidarity and patience. Legal processes – whether it is the court-managed wind-up that Cloud Innovation supports or the ongoing receivership duties – can take time. During this period, NRS will remain fully engaged to safeguard your interests. We will advocate for a transparent and orderly transition that protects members’ resource rights and the stability of Internet operations in our region. With your support, NRS will persist in ensuring that any future arrangements (such as a new registry framework or interim custodianship) put members first. We sincerely believe that, with collective effort, the end result of this turmoil can be a better, more accountable Internet number registry for Africa.
Continue to Trust NRS – We Are Working for You
We thank all members who have shown support for NRS so far, whether by attending our information sessions, signing the PoA, or voicing your concerns and ideas. Your involvement is the heartbeat of this initiative. NRS remains fully committed to every AFRINIC member’s rights and to the principles of good governance. Our pledge is that we will carry your trust with the utmost seriousness and integrity.
In closing, we reiterate: do not let recent communications discourage you. The Receiver’s message, in our view, was an understandable precaution but ultimately misdirected – it should not shake your confidence in what we can achieve together. Remember that NRS’s advocacy has the full support of Cloud Innovation and others who share our vision, and our only goal is to protect and empower the community. As we face potential changes to AFRINIC’s structure, your unified support will ensure that your interests shape the future.
Let us move forward with faith and determination. Continue to stand with NRS, keep engaging in dialogue, and if you are willing, entrust us with your Power of Attorney so that we can act collectively and effectively. Together, we will strive to turn this challenging moment into an opportunity for positive change and a stronger foundation for Africa’s Internet governance.
Thank you for your continued support and trust. We remain at your service and on your side through every step of this journey.
Sincerely,
Number Resource Society (NRS) – on behalf of the member community
Reference: [Cloud Innovation – AFRINIC Wind Up Amid Election Impasse]