At a Glance:



Federal Countries:

Ethiopia

Nigeria

Sudan


Regional Body:
African Union

Regional Body Headquarters:

AU African Commission:
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

AU Pan-African Parliament:
Midrand, South Africa


Regional Body Latest Treaty or Constitution:  9 July 2002

Africa

Africa Regional Map Ethiopia South Africa Our Work in Africa

The Forum currently carries out programs in Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa and Sudan.

The Forum’s work in Africa primarily consists in advancing two key building blocks of federal governance: intergovernmental relations and fiscal federalism. This aligns with efforts by most African federal countries to promote within their countries good governance, a democratic culture and institutional capacity building.

By sharing experiences with senior practitioners from other federations through workshops, conferences and courses, the Forum helps provide the knowledge and advice necessary to deepen federalism and enhance democratic governance in major African federations.

 

Federalism in Africa


Nigeria and Ethiopia are the only two countries in Africa with explicitly federal constitutions. Nigeria has been a federation since 1954 and Ethiopia’s ethnic federalism was constitutionally enshrined in 1995. South Africa does not describe itself as a federal country, although its constitution, adopted in 1996, has federal features. Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), two countries in Africa emerging from conflict situations, are considering and weighing federal constitutional solutions.

Where We Work