Diplomatic bloc
African Union
Continental union promoting African integration, peace, and a common voice.
Members
54
Founded
2002
Headquarters
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
What is the African Union?
The African Union is a continental union of African states — spanning effectively the entire continent — that promotes political and economic integration, peace and security, and a common African voice in world affairs. It succeeded the Organisation of African Unity in 2002.
Key facts
- Full name
- African Union
- Founded
- 2002 · Succeeded the Organisation of African Unity (1963)
- Headquarters
- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Member states
- 54
- Predecessor
- Organisation of African Unity (1963–2002)
- Free-trade area
- AfCFTA
African Union member states
54 countries
Algeria
DZA
Angola
AGO
Benin
BEN
Botswana
BWA
Burkina Faso
BFA
Burundi
BDI
Cabo Verde
CPV
Cameroon
CMR
Central African Republic
CAF
Chad
TCD
Comoros
COM
Côte d'Ivoire
CIV
Djibouti
DJI
DR Congo
COD
Egypt
EGY
Equatorial Guinea
GNQ
Eritrea
ERI
Eswatini
SWZ
Ethiopia
ETH
Gabon
GAB
Ghana
GHA
Guinea
GIN
Guinea-Bissau
GNB
Kenya
KEN
Lesotho
LSO
Liberia
LBR
Libya
LBY
Madagascar
MDG
Malawi
MWI
Mali
MLI
Mauritania
MRT
Mauritius
MUS
Morocco
MAR
Mozambique
MOZ
Namibia
NAM
Niger
NER
Nigeria
NGA
Republic of the Congo
COG
Rwanda
RWA
São Tomé and Príncipe
STP
Senegal
SEN
Seychelles
SYC
Sierra Leone
SLE
Somalia
SOM
South Africa
ZAF
South Sudan
SSD
Sudan
SDN
Tanzania
TZA
The Gambia
GMB
Togo
TGO
Tunisia
TUN
Uganda
UGA
Zambia
ZMB
Zimbabwe
ZWE
Why the AU matters
The AU runs peace-and-security missions, is building the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and won a permanent seat in the G20 in 2023. As a single voting bloc it carries major weight in the UN General Assembly.
Related blocs & alliances
Frequently asked questions about the AU
Quick answers to the most common questions about the African Union.
What is the African Union?
A continental union of African states, founded in 2002 to promote integration, peace and security, and a shared African voice in global affairs. It is one of the world's largest regional blocs.
When was the African Union created?
In 2002, replacing the Organisation of African Unity, which had been founded in 1963.
Where is the African Union headquartered?
In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Does the African Union have a seat in the G20?
Yes. The AU was admitted as a permanent member of the G20 in 2023, giving the continent a collective voice in the forum.
Research the AU with Model Diplomat
Get sourced answers on bloc cohesion, voting records, and member positions — built for Model UN delegates and researchers.