The Commission of the African Union acts as the executive/administrative branch or secretariat of the AU (and is somewhat analogous to the European Commission). It consists of a number of Commissioners dealing with different areas of policy. The Commission is headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It should be distinguished from the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, (based in Banjul, Gambia), which is a separate body that reports to the African Union.

Jean Ping is Chairman of the Commission.

Patrick Mazimhaka is Deputy Chairman.

Directorate of Conferences and Events is headed by Mohamed A.K. Mustoofa

Directorate of Peace and Security is headed by Said Djinnit

Directorate of Political Affairs is headed by Julia Dolly Joiner

Directorate of Infrastructure and Energy is headed by Bernard Zoba

Directorate of Social Affairs is headed by Bience P. Gawanas

Directorate of Human Resources, Science and Technology is headed by Nagia Essayed

Directorate of Trade and Industry is headed by Elisabeth Tankeu

Directorate of Rural Economy and Agriculture is headed by Rosebud Kurwijila

Directorate of Economic Affairs is headed by Maxwell Mkwezalamba

Office of the Legal Counsel

On September 13, 2005 an agreement was reached by the Commission and France whereby France would donate €5 million for the furtherance of African Union activities. Some of the initiatives this money will got to are an African Communication Policy and an African Common Defence Force. The signatory on behalf of the Commission was Bernard Zoba.