African Union Commission

The African Union Commission is the secretariat and executive arm of the African Union, the continental body comprising 55 member states across Africa. It is headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and serves as the permanent administrative structure responsible for implementing decisions taken by the AU Assembly and Executive Council. The Commission is led by a chairperson elected by the Assembly for a four-year term, supported by a deputy chairperson and eight commissioners overseeing portfolios including political affairs, trade, infrastructure, health, and social affairs. Its mandate spans promoting continental integration, coordinating development programmes, representing the AU in international negotiations, and advancing the union's strategic priorities such as Agenda 2063, the AU's long-term development framework. The Commission plays a central role in coordinating responses to cross-border challenges including public health emergencies, conflict resolution, and economic integration initiatives. It works closely with regional economic communities, member states, and international partners to mobilise resources and technical expertise. The African Union Commission was established in 2002 when the African Union succeeded the Organisation of African Unity, inheriting and expanding the latter's institutional structures. It has since grown in scope and capacity, becoming a key player in shaping policy and driving implementation across the continent.