The board of directors of the African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC) has approved the appointment of Prof. Adewale Adedokun as chairman of the Board and Prof. Aziz Hilali as vice-chairman.
These appointments were made following the Board’s election held on 12 September 2025.
While this announcement comes later than anticipated, the Board wishes to reassure the community that it has been actively working to ensure continuity, stability, and effective governance during this period of transition and with the close collaboration of the Receiver, Mr Gowtamsingh Dabee.
According to a statement posted on its website, AFRINIC said:
“The Board takes this opportunity to sincerely thank AFRINIC members and stakeholders for their continued trust, patience, and support.
“We have well taken note of all the goodwill messages and expressions of collaboration. Your engagement remains vital as we work together to strengthen AFRINIC and serve the African Internet community.
“The Board looks forward to working under the leadership of Prof. Adedokun and Prof. Hilali in advancing AFRINIC’s mission and addressing the important challenges ahead, in close collaboration with our members and stakeholders”.
Professor Adewale Adedokun, who was elected to the AFRINIC Board on 12 September 2025 alongside seven other directors, brings a wealth of leadership, academic, and technical expertise to the role.
He is a distinguished Professor of Computer Engineering and the Director of the Iya Abubakar Institute of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria.
Professor Hilali brings complementary expertise to the role of Vice-Chairman. Commentators across the African Internet ecosystem have hailed the moment as a turning point for AFRINIC, one that could mark the beginning of a more transparent and community-driven chapter.
The new leadership will be supported by the cohort of seven other directors elected alongside them, forming a unified board dedicated to steering AFRINIC toward a sustainable and prosperous future.
The full board comprises: Emmanuel Adewale Adedokun, representing Western Africa and serving as Chairman; Abdelaziz Hilali, representing Northern Africa and vice chair; Kaleem Ahmed Usmani; Prof. Kayemba Laurent Ntumba for Central Africa; Carla Sanderson for Southern Africa; Fiona Asonga for Eastern Africa; Benjamin Mark Roberts as a non-regional representative; and Ajao Adewole David, also serving as a non-regional member.
Reacting to his appointment, the newly appointed chairman said: “After a period of challenge, the AFRINIC community has spoken clearly, electing a Board with a mandate for renewal and unity. My primary focus, alongside Professor Hilali, is to provide steady and reliable leadership that restores confidence and fosters cohesion. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of governance, ensuring stability and trust that is much needed for AFRINIC to continue its critical mission without distraction and with the full support of its members.”
On his part, Professor Hilali recognised that a stable AFRINIC is the bedrock of a stable Internet for Africa and promised that the new board: “Will work diligently to ensure the organisation operates with transparency and efficiency, focusing squarely on its core duty: the secure and equitable distribution of Internet number resources that power the digital economy across our region.”
