South African internet veteran Mike Silber appointed AFRINIC CEO

The African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC) has appointed South African Internet and telecommunications veteran Mike Silber as its next chief executive officer, giving the regional Internet registry a new leader as it works to restore stability and confidence in the organization. 

Silber has been named CEO designate and will formally take over as AFRINIC chief executive on Jan. 1, 2027. The appointment was made by the AFRINIC Board with the consent of the Receiver following an extensive recruitment process led by the CEO Search Committee. 

The board said Silber’s appointment is aimed at helping AFRINIC strengthen its operations, governance and relationships with its members and partners.

Silber brings regulatory and internet experience 

Silber currently serves as Group Executive for Regulatory Affairs at MTN Group, where he works across a business serving more than 300 million customers in Africa. His previous positions include Group Chief Regulatory Officer at Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Chief Administrative Officer at Africa Data Centres. 

His experience also extends beyond corporate leadership. Silber has served on the board of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and as vice chair of the Address Supporting Organization Address Council. 

He has worked with the International Telecommunication Union, European Union, African Union and regulators in several countries. 

He has also served on the boards of the .ZA Domain Name Authority and the Internet Service Providers’ Association of South Africa. He remains a director and chair of the Audit Committee at the Public Interest Registry and serves as a director of TENET South Africa. 

A lawyer admitted to the High Court of South Africa, Silber is known for his work in Internet and e-commerce law, as well as regulation covering technology, media and telecommunications.

AFRINIC faces a critical period 

The board said Silber’s combination of legal, technical and regulatory experience will be important as AFRINIC addresses its current challenges. 

Among his priorities will be restoring operational stability, improving transparency and accountability, and rebuilding trust among AFRINIC members, employees, partners and the wider African Internet community. 

The incoming CEO will also be expected to help resolve outstanding legal matters and strengthen the organization’s ability to deliver services to members across the region. 

The board stressed that AFRINIC’s recovery will not rest on Silber alone. It called on members, employees, partners and other stakeholders to work with the incoming CEO as the organization seeks to rebuild its institutional foundations. 

“AFRINIC’s mission remains to serve as a responsible and effective steward of Internet number resources for Africa,” the board said. 

AFRINIC’s role in Africa’s internet infrastructure

AFRINIC is the regional Internet registry responsible for allocating and managing Internet number resources across Africa and the Indian Ocean region, including IP addresses and autonomous system numbers. 

Headquartered in Ebene, Mauritius, the nonprofit organization was established in October 2004 and formally recognized by ICANN as the world’s fifth regional Internet registry in April 2005. 

AFRINIC serves over 2,500 members across 56 countries, including Internet service providers, data centers, academic institutions and government bodies. Its service area is divided into six regions; Northern, Western, Central, Eastern, Southern and the Indian Ocean for statistical reporting and board elections. 

Silber’s appointment places a seasoned Internet and regulatory executive at the center of AFRINIC’s efforts to rebuild the organization and strengthen its role in supporting Africa’s digital infrastructure.