Overview of the ratified policies
on 04/02/2026
AFPUB-2020-GEN-006-DRAFT03 and
AFPUB-2018-GEN-001-DRAFT07 ratified
It is intended as a quick refresher on what they mean for your organisation in practice.
Number Resources Transfer Policy
AFPUB-2020-GEN-006-DRAFT03
This policy establishes the rules and conditions under which IPv4 address blocks and Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs) may be transferred:
This policy allows redistribution of existing resources under controlled governance conditions, while safeguarding the remaining IPv4 pool in the AFRINIC Service Region.
- Between AFRINIC members (intra-regional transfers)
- From legacy holders to AFRINIC members
- Between AFRINIC and other RIR regions (inter-RIR transfers), provided reciprocal policies exist
This policy allows redistribution of existing resources under controlled governance conditions, while safeguarding the remaining IPv4 pool in the AFRINIC Service Region.
Who is impacted?
- AFRINIC members transferring or receiving IPv4 or ASNs
- Legacy resource holders, who are explicitly recognised
- New or prospective recipients who may acquire resources via transfers
- AFRINIC operations, through added registry and coordination responsibilities
What is the impact?
- A single, unified policy now covers both IPv4 and ASN transfers
- Inter-RIR transfers are formally allowed, under specific conditions and where reciprocal arrangements exist
- AFRINIC-issued IPv4 cannot be transferred out of the region
- Only resources under specific categories and allocation size may move outside AFRINIC
- Certain reserved resources remain non-transferable, except in specific cases (e.g. Mergers & Acquisitions)
What are the benefits for AFRINIC members?
- Enables Controlled and Transparent IPv4 Redistribution: Provides a regulated framework for the legitimate transfer of IPv4 resources, ensuring transfers occur within clearly defined policy conditions.
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Reduces Informal or Unregistered Transfers: Minimises the risk of undocumented or “underground” transfers that could compromise legal certainty and registry integrity.
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Preserves Routing Stability and Integrity: By ensuring transfers are properly recorded and validated, the policy helps maintain accurate routing information and reduces risks associated with address disputes or hijacking.
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Maintains Accurate and Authoritative Registry Data: All approved transfers are reflected in AFRINIC’s registry database (WHOIS/RDAP), preserving data reliability and public trust.
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Reinforces AFRINIC’s Role as the Authoritative Registry for Africa: Strengthens AFRINIC’s governance mandate in managing Internet number resources within the African region.
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Aligns the African Region with Global RIR Transfer Standards: Ensures compatibility with inter-RIR transfer frameworks, facilitating global operational consistency and cross-regional cooperation.
The policy enables controlled redistribution of IPv4 and ASNs, especially inbound and inter-RIR, while preventing depletion of AFRINIC-issued IPv4 and strengthening oversight
Read more
Abuse Contact Policy Update
AFPUB-2018-GEN-001-DRAFT07
This policy requires all resource holders to:
- Provide a valid abuse contact email
- Maintain it up to date
- Ensure it is operational
It ensures that every AFRINIC-managed number resource has a reliable, reachable abuse contact, making it easier to report and address network abuse across the region.
Who is impacted?
- All AFRINIC members holding IPv4, IPv6, or ASNs.
- Legacy resource holders (explicitly included).
- New applicants for number resources.
- Operators and abuse teams globally, who rely on accurate contact data.
What is the impact?
- An abuse contact becomes mandatory for all AFRINIC-managed resources.
- The contact must include a working, human-monitored email address.
- AFRINIC will periodically verify that abuse contacts remain reachable.
- The older (Incident Response Team) IRT approach is replaced with a standardised abuse-c attribute, aligned with other RIRs.
- Members must keep abuse mailboxes active, monitored, and up to date
- Resources Transfers and allocation are still allowed, but valid abuse contact data is now a standing requirement
What are the benefits for AFRINIC members?
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Enhanced and Structured Abuse Handling: Members benefit from a clear, standardised, and reliable abuse reporting channel, enabling better internal incident management and response coordination.
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Improved Accuracy and Credibility of Registry Data: Maintaining validated abuse contact information strengthens the integrity, reliability, and public trust in AFRINIC registry records (WHOIS/RDAP).
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Stronger Cybersecurity Posture Across Africa: By ensuring reachable abuse contacts, members contribute to faster mitigation of spam, phishing, DDoS, and other malicious activities, reinforcing the overall resilience of Africa’s Internet infrastructure.
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Alignment with global best practices: Compliance aligns members with internationally recognised registry and operational standards adopted across the global RIR ecosystem.
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Mandatory and Valid Abuse Contact Maintenance: Clear policy obligations ensure that members maintain up-to-date, operational abuse contact emails, reducing compliance risk and improving accountability.
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Improved Internet hygiene: Consistent abuse handling reduces persistent malicious activity, improving network reputation and operational stability.
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Faster Resolution of Abuse Incidents: Structured reporting mechanisms allow quicker identification, escalation, and remediation of abuse-related issues, minimising operational disruption.
This policy improves trust, response time, and data quality, while asking members for only minimal, ongoing operational effort.
Read more
Get Involved!
Together, these policies aim to:
Improve accountability and data quality | Align AFRINIC practices with the wider RIR community | Protect regional number resources while enabling fair access
Members are encouraged to review their records and processes early to ensure smooth compliance.
AFRINIC encourages its Members and the community to subscribe to the mailing list to propose and shape policies that are of interest to the development of the Internet in Africa.
Q&A for Members and Stakeholders
AFRINIC Policy 2020-GEN-006-D3
1. What is Policy Proposal 2020-GEN-006-D3??
Policy 2020-GEN-006-D3 is a community-developed proposal concerning the categorisation and transferability of Internet number resources within the AFRINIC service region.
It was developed through the established Policy Development Process (PDP), which is open, consensus-based, and transparent.
The policy clarifies how different categories of resources are treated for transfer purposes.
2. Does this policy “take away” or confiscate members’ IPv4 resources?
3. What does the term “Regional” mean in the policy?
4. Does the policy restrict inter-RIR transfers?
5. Does this policy reduce the financial value of IPv4 resources?
6. Why was this policy ratified now?
7. Was the Policy Development Process properly followed?
8. Can members challenge or propose changes to this policy?
9. Does AFRINIC consider number resources to be property?
10. Why is AFRINIC initiating a Bylaws Review process?
11. How should members raise concerns?
12. What is AFRINIC’s core position?