Remembering Alan Barrett: A Giant in African Internet History Has Passed

A Pillar of Africa's Digital Foundation

The internet as we know it in Africa has deep roots—and one of its most important architects, Alan Barrett, passed away on May 28th after a recent cancer diagnosis. As a board member of ICANN and a longtime architect of South Africa's digital infrastructure, Barrett's contributions shaped how an entire continent connected to the global web.

Barrett's resume reads like a blueprint for building internet infrastructure from the ground up. In the 1990s, he was instrumental in establishing the first internet connections to South African universities—work that created pathways for academic collaboration and knowledge sharing that would fuel the country's future tech scene. He also played a pivotal role in launching South Africa's first commercial Internet Service Provider during an era when going online was a revolutionary act.

Building Bridges Through Address Management

Barrett's impact extended well beyond national borders. Serving as CEO of AFRINIC from 2015 to 2019, he oversaw the Regional Internet Registry responsible for allocating IP addresses across Africa. In a world where digital real estate—IP addresses—determines who can participate in the online economy, his stewardship ensured that African organizations and businesses could claim their rightful space on the internet.

His presence on ICANN's board represented something essential: African voices deciding African digital futures. As the Address Supporting Organization's appointed representative, Barrett brought thoughtful, balanced perspectives to complex internet governance debates.

A Legacy Worth Reflecting On

ICANN CEO Kurt Lindqvist described Barrett simply but powerfully: "When Alan spoke you listened." That wasn't just deference—it was earned authority from someone who understood the technical intricacies and human implications of internet policy.

The internet didn't simply arrive in Africa; people like Alan Barrett built the on-ramps. His work created possibilities for countless entrepreneurs, developers, and everyday users who followed.

Our thoughts go out to his family and the broader internet community during this time. The digital infrastructure he helped construct in South Africa and beyond remains his most enduring monument—a legacy that continues expanding with every new connection made across the continent.

For those in the domain and hosting industry, Barrett's story is a reminder that the systems we rely on daily were built by dedicated individuals who saw connectivity as a fundamental right, not a luxury. Let his commitment to inclusive internet governance inspire how we approach our own work.