The African Internet community continues to mourn the loss of one of its most respected pioneers, mentors, and visionaries, Alan Barrett. Alan was more than an Internet engineer, policymaker, and leader; he was one of the architects of Africa’s Internet. His work helped shape the foundations of the Internet ecosystem that millions across the continent rely on today. Through his vision, technical expertise, humility, and unwavering commitment to community-driven development, Alan played a pivotal role in advancing Internet infrastructure, policy development, and multistakeholder collaboration in Africa and around the world.

As one of the founding contributors to the establishment of AFRINIC, a former AFRINIC Board Member, Policy Development Working Group Co-Chair, Chief Executive Officer, and later a member of the ICANN Board, Alan dedicated decades of service to strengthening the stability, growth, and governance of the global Internet.