Mr. Stephen Raphael Mapunda

Nationality: Tanzanian

Country of Residence: Tanzania

Organisation or affiliation: Net Solutions Ltd

Position: Chief Executive Officer

Brief Motivation

I am seeking nomination for the AFRINIC Board at a time of serious challenges, including litigations, governance instability, and operational disruptions. With nearly three decades of leadership as CEO of NET SOLUTIONS LIMITED and deep engagement in Tanzania’s ICT sector, I bring capacity to manage complex regulatory and stakeholder environments. My service as Chairman and Executive Council Member of the Tanzania Internet Service Providers Association (TISPA) and as Executive Member of the Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC) has equipped me to build consensus, resolve disputes, and implement reforms under pressure.

If elected, I will focus on:

• Resolving litigations and receivership by engaging stakeholders, including ICANN, to restore autonomy and stability.
• Reforming governance to ensure transparent elections, clear accountability, and safeguards against misuse of power.
• Ensuring equitable Internet resource access for all members, even during crises, while addressing risks from frozen assets or restrictions.
• Rebuilding trust and unity across Africa through inclusive, community-driven initiatives that uphold fairness and integrity.

My vision is for AFRINIC to emerge as a resilient, trusted institution, overcoming legal and governance crises to deliver stable Internet resource management for Africa.

Professional Background

In 2004, I founded NET SOLUTIONS LIMITED (AS328514), a licensed Internet Service Provider headquartered in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. As Chief Executive Officer, I have provided strategic leadership for over 20 years, guiding the company to become a trusted provider serving home users, SMEs, businesses, and corporates. My leadership has focused on corporate governance, compliance, and accountability, ensuring the company operates sustainably while contributing to Tanzania’s digital transformation. I have overseen corporate strategy, stakeholder engagement, financial planning, and regulatory compliance, maintaining trust with both customers and national regulators.

Beyond my corporate role, I serve in governance positions that directly influence ICT policy and industry development. I am the current Chairman and a Member of the Executive Council of the Tanzania Internet Service Providers Association (TISPA), the national ISP body. In this role, I lead policy engagement with the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), coordinate sector-wide initiatives, and ensure fair representation of ISPs in national and regional forums. Under my leadership, TISPA has strengthened local Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), promoted local peering to reduce costs and improve resilience, and advanced dialogue on policies that support competition, innovation, and fair resource distribution.

I also serve as an Executive Member of the Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC), the highest-level platform for dialogue between the Government of Tanzania and the private sector. At TNBC, I have contributed to discussions shaping Tanzania’s economic strategy, with a focus on digital infrastructure, ICT policy, and the role of Internet services in national development. This position has allowed me to represent the ICT industry within a broader economic governance framework, working with government ministries, regulators, and business leaders to align ICT growth with national priorities.

Through these roles, I have developed the ability to:

Provide board-level oversight and institutional leadership in both private and public governance settings.

Strengthen governance through accountability, transparency, and fairness.

Balance the interests of government, private sector, and community stakeholders while safeguarding long-term public benefit.

Promote inclusive policies that ensure both large and small operators are supported, fostering sustainable industry growth.

Advocate for the role of ICT and Internet access in achieving national and continental development goals.

My record shows consistent commitment to good governance, accountability, and community service. If elected to the AFRINIC Board, I will apply this experience to strengthen AFRINIC’s stability, restore trust, and ensure it remains a transparent, community-driven, and resilient institution that supports Africa’s Internet development for the long term.