The African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC) has announced the appointment of Professor Adewale Adedokun, a computer engineering scholar from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, as the new chairman of its board of directors.
The announcement, made in a statement on Friday, also named Aziz Hilali as vice-chairman, signaling what the organization described as a new phase of stability and strategic direction for Africa’s Internet governance body.
AFRINIC, headquartered in Mauritius, is one of the world’s five Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) responsible for allocating Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs) across the African continent.
A New Leadership Era
Professor Adedokun, who was elected to the board on September 12, currently serves as the Director of the Iya Abubakar Institute of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at ABU. With extensive experience in academia, technical innovation, and digital infrastructure development, he is expected to bring a blend of strategic insight and practical expertise to the role.
In his first statement following the appointment, Adedokun pledged to prioritize renewal, unity, and transparency, describing his team’s election as a mandate for reform.
“The AFRINIC community has spoken clearly, electing a board with a mandate for renewal and unity,” he said. “Our focus is to restore confidence and ensure stability so AFRINIC can continue its critical mission without distraction.”
Vice-chairman Aziz Hilali echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that AFRINIC’s stability is essential to maintaining the integrity of Africa’s digital ecosystem.
“We will work diligently to ensure the organisation operates with transparency and efficiency, focusing on its core duty — the equitable distribution of Internet number resources that power Africa’s digital economy,” Hilali stated.
Board Composition and Regional Representation
Other members of the newly constituted board include Kaleem Ahmed Usmani, Kayemba Laurent Ntumba (Central Africa), Carla Sanderson (Southern Africa), Fiona Asonga (Eastern Africa), and Benjamin Mark Roberts alongside Ajao Adewole David as non-regional members.
Under the new leadership structure, Adedokun represents Western Africa, while Hilali represents Northern Africa.
Restoring Confidence in Internet Governance
The appointments come at a pivotal time for AFRINIC, which in recent years has faced governance challenges and operational uncertainty. The new board is expected to guide the organization through a period of institutional renewal, strengthening stakeholder trust and reinforcing Africa’s position in the global Internet infrastructure network.
By emphasizing transparency, accountability, and collaboration, the new leadership aims to ensure AFRINIC continues to play a central role in advancing the continent’s digital transformation and connectivity goals.