COMMUNIQUÉ
On 28th October 2026, AFRINIC took cognizance of the appearance of the name of Cloud Innovation Ltd (“CIL”) on the Register of Members (that is, the Register of Registered Members for the purposes of AFRINIC’s Constitution), as maintained by the Registrar of Companies and made publicly accessible through the CBRIS platform. According to the records appearing on CBRIS, CIL’s name was purportedly entered on the Register on 9th October 2026.
AFRINIC strongly objects to this development, particularly as the purported entry was effected without its knowledge, involvement or consultation.
Upon becoming aware of the matter, AFRINIC, through its Court-appointed Receiver, acted promptly and caused a Legal Notice to be served on the Registrar of Companies on 29th October 2026, formally demanding the immediate removal of CIL’s name from the Register of Members. In the interest of transparency and to ensure that the matter receives appropriate attention, copies of the Legal Notice were also served, for information and such action as may be considered appropriate, on the Honourable Prime Minister of Mauritius, under whose portfolio the Corporate and Business Registration Department falls; the Honourable Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation; the Honourable Attorney General; and the State Law Office.
AFRINIC has also taken cognisance of an email dated 30th October 2026, circulated on its members’ mailing list and reportedly sent by an officer of the Registrar of Companies to the Secretary General of the Tanzania Internet Service Providers Association (TISPA), which makes reference to a Supreme Court Rule dated 9th October 2026.
AFRINIC understands that the Supreme Court Rule in question does not arise from any new proceedings instituted against AFRINIC. Rather, it serves to certify the outcomes of two pre-existing proceedings, namely SC/COM/MOT/000275/2021 (Order dated 4th April 2025) and SC/COM/MOT/000399/2025 (Order dated 11th June 2025). AFRINIC is, however, concerned that the said Rule makes no reference whatsoever to the Oral Ruling delivered by the Supreme Court on 19th June 2025 in proceedings bearing Cause No. SC/COM/MOT/000442/2025, in which the Court expressly recognised that CIL had been erroneously registered as a Registered Member of AFRINIC and unequivocally described its status as being “simply a resource member”.
The judicial pronouncement of 19th June 2025 is of particular significance to the present matter and cannot be disregarded when considering the purported inclusion of CIL on AFRINIC’s Register of Members maintained by the Registrar of Companies.
AFRINIC continues to engage with the Office of the Registrar of Companies with a view to securing an early resolution of this matter and the necessary rectification of the Register.
AFRINIC will, in the meantime, pursue all necessary legal and administrative remedies to safeguard the integrity of its membership structure and governance framework and to ensure that the legal position established by the Supreme Court is fully respected and upheld.
AFRINIC has also taken note of certain misleading and inaccurate information circulating online in relation to this matter. It accordingly advises its members and the wider Internet community to rely on AFRINIC’s official communications as the authoritative source of information concerning its membership structure and governance.
By Order of the Receiver
Ebène
31st October 2026