African Countries with Federal Systems of Government in 2025

In Summary

• A federal system is a constitutionally defined governance structure where subnational units enjoy legally protected autonomy while remaining part of a unified state.
• Federal arrangements in Africa demonstrate that constitutional recognition of regional powers including fiscal, legislative, and administrative authority can stabilize governance and accommodate diversity.
• Among Africa’s federal states by law, Nigeria represents the oldest continuous modern federation, established legally in 1960, providing a model of multi-tier constitutional governance.

Deep Dive!!

Lagos, Nigeria, Tuesday, November 11 - Africa exhibits a wide variety of government systems, including unitary states, constitutional monarchies, federal republics, and hybrid or decentralized arrangements. Each system balances central authority and regional autonomy differently, reflecting historical, cultural, and political factors unique to the continent.

Among these, federal systems stand out for constitutionally enshrined autonomy, where subnational units have legally guaranteed powers alongside the central government. 

This article focuses specifically on federal by law countries in Africa, highlighting those nations whose constitutions explicitly establish a federation with clearly defined powers for subnational units. 

The ranking follows the latest legal adoption of federalism, providing insight into the evolution of constitutional federal governance on the continent.

By concentrating on legal frameworks rather than practice, this article offers a clear, authoritative view of how federal systems are codified in Africa, illustrating the mechanisms through which national unity and regional self-rule coexist under the law.

3. Somalia

Somalia’s federal system was formally established with the Provisional Constitution of 2012, which recognizes the country as a federation of autonomous member states while maintaining national unity. The constitution explicitly defines the Federal Republic of Somalia and establishes a dual structure like the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States (FMS). The FMS comprising Puntland, Jubaland, Galmudug, Hirshabelle, South West State, and Benadir (Mogadishu) are constitutionally recognized to manage internal affairs, with powers over areas such as policing, taxation, and service provision intended under the law, though implementation is still evolving. The federal government retains jurisdiction over strategic matters such as defense, foreign affairs, monetary policy, and natural resource management. This legal framework makes Somalia a federation by law, with powers clearly codified in the constitution.

The federal arrangement in Somalia was designed to rebuild governance after decades of conflict and state collapse, emphasizing cooperative federalism. The constitution outlines the distribution of powers between the federal government and member states, ensuring that subnational units have legally guaranteed autonomy. Revenue-sharing mechanisms and intergovernmental agreements define how local and national taxes are allocated, creating a legal foundation for both financial independence and national contribution. By law, member states are responsible for local administration, while strategic policy areas remain federally controlled, providing a legally anchored balance between regional authority and central oversight.

Implementation of federal structures in Somalia involves developing institutional capacity at both levels. Member states have established regional parliaments, executives, and judicial systems, while the federal government coordinates overarching national policies. For instance, Puntland has a functioning regional police and legislative assembly, Jubaland manages revenue collection and infrastructure projects, and South West State has prioritized local healthcare and education initiatives. Mogadishu, as the federal capital, hosts federal ministries, courts, and institutions that coordinate national governance. These arrangements demonstrate how Somalia’s constitutionally defined federalism translates into practical governance structures.

Ongoing reforms continue to strengthen legal clarity and institutional capacity. The federal government, often with international support from the UN, African Union, and World Bank, has implemented capacity-building programs for state civil services, public financial management, and security sector governance. Efforts to harmonize laws, standardize service delivery, and clarify intergovernmental roles reflect a commitment to legally codified federalism. Somalia’s system highlights a post-conflict approach where constitutional federalism provides both stability and a platform for sustainable national development, making it Africa’s youngest federation by law, even as the practical implementation of powers for Federal Member States continues to evolve. Institutional capacity, boundaries, and administrative authority are still being developed to fully realize the constitutional framework.

2. Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s federal system was formally established under the 1995 Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE), creating a unique legal framework based on ethnolinguistic federalism. The country is divided into eleven regional states, officially called “Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Regions” (NNPR), each with its own government, council, and constitution. These regions enjoy constitutionally guaranteed autonomy, including the extraordinary right to secede under Article 39, which underscores the legal recognition of self-determination. The federal government retains jurisdiction over foreign affairs, defense, national security, and macroeconomic policy, while states exercise broad legislative, executive, and judicial powers within their territories. This legally enshrined arrangement makes Ethiopia one of Africa’s most distinctive federations by law.

The Ethiopian federal structure distributes authority across multiple levels of government, creating a dual legal system in which regional constitutions coexist with the federal constitution. The House of Federation, one of the two parliamentary chambers, represents the interests of the regional states, reviewing state constitutions, resolving intergovernmental disputes, and interpreting federal law. Federal and regional courts operate independently, with the Federal Supreme Court overseeing federal matters while regional supreme courts adjudicate state legislation and local disputes. This legal design ensures that autonomy and oversight are clearly codified, minimizing constitutional ambiguity.

Regions in Ethiopia are central to service delivery and development planning. Each state manages its budget allocations, taxation systems, infrastructure projects, healthcare facilities, education programs, and local economic development initiatives. Conditional and unconditional federal grants supplement state resources, supporting regional priorities while maintaining legal compliance with national frameworks. By law, states control official languages, security forces, and internal administration, allowing governance to reflect local cultural and historical contexts. This legally protected autonomy is intended to strengthen participation, prevent domination by the central government, and accommodate Ethiopia’s diverse population.

Ethiopia continues to refine its federal arrangements through legal and policy reforms. Federal–regional joint development councils, intergovernmental fiscal frameworks, and strengthened judicial mechanisms aim to harmonize revenue sharing, improve transparency, and enhance accountability across tiers of government. Ongoing efforts include dispute resolution between states, clarifying boundaries, and standardizing public service delivery while respecting state constitutions. Legally, Ethiopia’s federalism represents a highly institutionalized, ethnolinguistically based system, balancing regional autonomy and central coordination in a framework fully recognized and protected by its constitution, even as the practical exercise of state powers continues to develop. Regional states continue to refine governance structures, service delivery, and intergovernmental coordination to align constitutional provisions with actual administration.

1. Nigeria

Nigeria’s federal system is formally enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, though its origins trace back to the Lyttleton Constitution of 1954 and the independence constitution of 1960, which first established a legal federation. The country is composed of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), each with constitutionally guaranteed executive, legislative, and judicial powers. This multi-tier structure distributes authority among the federal, state, and local levels, with exclusive federal powers over defense, foreign affairs, currency, and immigration, while states exercise concurrent powers in sectors such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Local governments serve as the third tier, implementing primary-level services and complementing state governance. Despite interruptions under military regimes, Nigeria’s federal system remains constitutionally recognized and active today.

The federal structure emphasizes both autonomy and coordination. State governors and assemblies legislate and execute policies over regional priorities, including health infrastructure, road networks, and industrial development. Fiscal federalism is enshrined in law through mechanisms like the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), which governs allocations from federally collected revenues, including oil proceeds, to states and local governments. States also have legal powers to raise taxes and generate local revenue, ensuring they can fund regional development projects independently while contributing to national cohesion. This legal fiscal design safeguards both central authority and subnational autonomy.

States act as hubs for policy innovation and service delivery. Lagos State, for instance, has pioneered digital governance, urban infrastructure programs, and public-private partnerships in healthcare and transport. Other states, including Kaduna, Rivers, and Ogun, have developed industrial clusters, agricultural value chains, and energy projects adapted to local needs. Local governments complement these efforts by managing primary education, rural roads, and health services. Each of these activities is constitutionally backed, ensuring that the federal design translates into practical governance, with legal accountability embedded in the multi-tier system.

Nigeria continues to refine its federal structures through constitutional and policy reforms. Debates over restructuring fiscal arrangements to reduce dependence on oil, strengthening intergovernmental coordination, and enhancing transparency in revenue allocation are ongoing. Recent initiatives, such as e-governance platforms and performance-based budgeting, reflect a commitment to modernizing administrative processes while preserving state autonomy. Legally, Nigeria’s federal system remains a dynamic and enduring framework, balancing decentralization, resource management, and diversity within a constitutionally recognized federation.

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