CAREER OPPORTUNITY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

AFRINIC is seeking a high-calibre turnaround CEO to stabilize, transform, and safeguard the institution following an extended period of governance disruption, legal conflict, and community polarization. The successful candidate will act as an institutional architect and diplomat, capable of leading under sustained scrutiny while restoring trust, resilience, and legitimacy across the African and global Internet governance ecosystem.

The CEO’s primary mandate is to stabilize the organization and drive structural, operational, and cultural transformation. This includes ensuring long-term financial and operational sustainability, diversifying revenue beyond membership fees, strengthening governance, and rebuilding confidence among staff, members, regulators, and international partners. The role demands exceptional leadership, emotional intelligence, and diplomatic skill to manage complex stakeholder dynamics, including politically sensitive and adversarial environments.

The board is seeking a rare combination of crisis leadership, diplomacy, and governance expertise. Proven experience in organizational transformation is critical, as is deep competence in corporate governance, compliance, and financial oversight. The CEO must be ethically beyond reproach, given the high value and sensitivity of IP address resources. A solid understanding of ICT and Internet governance is required to engage credibly on technical matters, even where direct domain experience is not present. While experience within another RIR or the African Internet ecosystem is advantageous, the board is open to exceptional candidates from adjacent environments who demonstrate the right judgment, independence, resilience, and leadership capability.

The role represents a rare legacy opportunity: the chance to stabilize and secure the future of the African Internet. The successful candidate will achieve global visibility and lasting impact at the intersection of technology, governance, and continental digital sovereignty.

AFRINIC is one of five Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) globally, forming part of the international ecosystem responsible for the coordination and management of Internet number resources, including IP addresses and Autonomous System Numbers. Within this ecosystem, the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) allocates number resources to the RIRs, which in turn manage their distribution within defined geographic regions. The five RIRs collaborate through the Number Resources Organization to ensure global consistency, coordination, and the long-term stability of the Internet.

As the RIR for Africa, AFRINIC is responsible for the equitable distribution and registration of Internet number resources across the continent. Like its counterparts, AFRINIC operates as an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit, member-based organisation, with a strong emphasis on transparency, neutrality, and community accountability. Policies governing the allocation and management of Internet resources are developed through an open, bottom-up, community-driven process, ensuring that regional needs are addressed while aligning with global Internet governance principles.

Since its establishment in 2005, AFRINIC has worked closely with a broad range of organisations to pool expertise and support the growth of Internet usage, infrastructure resilience, and emerging technologies in Africa. These engagements have taken various forms, including formal cooperation through Memoranda of Understanding, as well as active membership in organisations where AFRINIC contributes its technical expertise in pursuit of shared objectives. Through these partnerships and its community-focused mandate, AFRINIC plays a critical role in strengthening the African Internet ecosystem and advancing the interests of its Internet community.