Mailing lists can/are open but effective policy influence is achieved with representation on the policy making table. Their 6-person BOD structure
http://www.afrinic.net/en/our-structure/bod of Eastern Africa(1), Indian Ocean(1), Northern Africa(1), Western Africa(1), Central Africa(1), Southern Africa(1) are business, ccTLDs and government persons. It does not provide for civil society representatives. Or would I be missing one (including on the listed past) BOD members?
The internet was once controlled by engineers before lawyers snatched it from them. Assertive global civil society raised its and had to be accommodated. Now Africa's Civil Society has risen up and is demanding a say on how Africa (and global) Internet is managed, for example,
http://netizenproject.org/2012/08/05/pan-african-civil-society-on-who-controls-the-internet/