The Benin Armed Forces (FAB) constitutes the army, navy, air force, and national gendarmerie of Benin. For a number of years, the Belgian Armed Forces have had an active programme of co-operation with Benin, offering training and coaching, donating redundant military equipment and using the county for limited military exercises. The total active manpower of Beninese army is around 8,000 military personnel.
The Land Forces of Beninese army is 6,800 soldiers with the structure:
- 4 Rapid Intervention Units: 1st commando parachute battalion, 1st motorised battalion, 1st armoured group, national fire brigade group,
- 5 inter-arms battalion
- 6 support and combat support units: 1st artillery battalion, 1st engineer battalion, 1st signal battalion, 1st material battalion, 1st logistic battalion and 1 HQ group.

The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Botswana Defence Forces, and he can choose to discharge his control duties either directly of through a Defence Council whose members he will appoint. There is no Defence ministry. The total active manpower of the Botswana Armed forces is around 12,500 personnel. No conscription.
The Botswana land forces are around 10,000 soldiers with the structure:
2 infantry brigades, 1 armoured brigade (2 regiments), 1 engineer regiment, 1 commando battalion, 1 paratroops presidential guard battalion, 1 field artillery brigade (2 regiments, 1 engineer regiment mechanical & electrical, 1 signal corps, 1 medical corps, 1 ordnance corps.

The national territory is subdivided into 3 military regions (Quagandougou, Bobo Dioulasso and Kaya) and 2 air regions (Quagandougou and Bobo Dioulasso). There is no conscription, all volunteer force. Total active manpower is 12,000 military personnel and Gendarmerie under the control of the General staff.
The Land Forces of Burkina Faso are composed with 7,800 soldiers with the structure:
5 infantry regiments, 1 paratroop regiment, 1 armoured battalion, 1 engineer battalion, 1 commando battalion 1 independent artillery unit.

The Military of Burundi consists of the Army and the Gendarmerie. The naval and air units are incorporated within the Army. Based on the Arusha Peace Agreement the armed forces of Burundi are being reorganised on the basis of 50% thnic mix between Tutsi and Hutu personnel and including both former government personnel as well as rebel units.
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Armed forces personnel: 30,000 soldiers

The President of Cameroon is the Head of State country and also of the Armed Forces. The total active manpower is around 27,000 soldiers and para-military forces with the gendarmerie, 4,000 personnel.
The Land Forces of Cameroon army are 23,000 soldiers with the structure:
- 4 infantry battalions, 1 1 rapid intervention battalion, 1 armoured battalion, 1 artillery battalion, 1 anti-aircraft battalion, 1 commando battalion, and engineer and support units.

The Forces armées centrafricaines (FACA) are the armed forces of the Central African Republic, established after independence in 1960. The armed forces of Central African Republic is around 4,800 personnel.
The land forces of Central African Republic are 4,500 soldiers with the structure:
- 1 mixed intervention battalion, 2 infantry battalions, 1 amphibious batallion, 1 engineer battalion, 1 combat support battalion, 1 presidential guard, 1 internal security battalion, 1 security battalion, 1 honour guard battalion.

The Military of Chad consists of the Armed Forces (includes Ground Force, Air Force, and Gendarmerie), Republican Guard, Rapid Intervention Force, Police, and National and Nomadic Guard (GNNT). Currently the main task of the Chadian military is to combat the various rebel forces inside the country.From independence through the period of the presidency of Félix Malloum (1975-79), the official national army was known as the Chadian Armed Forces (Forces Armées Tchadiennes—FAT). Composed mainly of soldiers from southern Chad, FAT had its roots in the army recruited by France and had military traditions dating back to First World War. The total active manpower for the Chadian Army is around 30,350 personnel including the Republican Guard.

A presidential decree has dictated the creation of a Defense Staff in addition to the existing General staff of the Armed Forces. Its composition and tasks are not yet known.
The total active manpower is around 4,000 soldiers. There is also a paramilitary forces with 680 police officer and 600 Republican Guard.
The total personnel for the Djiboutian Land Forces are around 3,500 soldiers with the structure:
- 1 armoured regiment
- 1 artillery regiment
- 1 rapid action regiment
- 3 combined arms regiments
- 1 inter-arms battalion

Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) is the military of Ethiopia. Civil direction of the military is carried out through the Ministry of Defense, which oversees the ground forces, air force, as well as the Defense Industry Sector. At the moment, ENDF consists of at least two three separate branches: Ground Forces and Ethiopian Air Force. The total active manpower of Ethiopian armed forces is around 185,000 soldiers.
The land forces of Ethiopian Army are around 180,000 personnel with the structure:
4 regional commands with 18 Infantry divisions, 4 Mechanised divisions, 1 1 Commando division and 1 Security division.

The President is the supreme Commander of national defense. The Republican Guard is placed directly under the President as regards its employment, but as the other services it depends on the Ministry of Defense as regards administration. The Gendarmerie is also placed under the authority of the President. The total active manpower of the Gabonese Army is around 4,300 personnel. There is also a para-military forces with 1,500 police officer (Gendarmerie), 3,000 coast guards, and 2,900 Republican Guards. There is no conscription, all-volunteer forces.
The Land Forces of the Gabonese Army is around 3,100 soldiers with the structure:
- 8 military regions, forces are subdivided into Combat, Intervention, Support and Sustaining forces.
- 1 President guard
- 8 infantry companies
- 1 paratroops/commando company
- 1 engineer company

The President of Ghana is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and he exercises his authority through the Minister of Defence. The Ghanaian air force and navy, the Army makes up the Ghana Armed Forces, controlled by The Ministry of Defence and Central Defence Headquarters, both located in Accra. The total active manpower is around 11,700 military personnel.
The Ghanaian land forces are around 8,800 soldiers with the structure:
- 1 HQ command, 2 territorial comands, 4 infantry brigades, 1 support services brigade, 1 armoured reconnaissance regiment, 2 engineer regiments, 1 signal regiment, 1 artillery regiment, 1 airborne battalion and 1 transport battalion.

The President of Cote d'Ivoire is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. The total active manpower is around 17,050 soldiers including Presidential Guard and the Gendarmerie.
The Land Forces is composed by:
- 1 Infantry battalion
- 1 Armoured battalion
- 1 Para Commando battalion
- 1 Command Support battalion
- 1 AAA battalion

The Kenya Defence Forces are the armed forces of the Republic of Kenya. The Kenya Army, Kenya Navy, and Kenya Air Force comprise the national Defence Forces.
The land forces of Kenya are around 20,000 soldiers, with the structure:
1 armoured brigade (3 armoured battalions), 1 independent air cavalry brigade, 1 infantry brigade (2 infantry battalions,),1 brigade (3 infantry battalions); 1 independent battalion, 1 airborne battalion, 1 artillery brigade (2 artillery battalions), 1 air defense battalion, 1 engineer brigade (2 engineer battalions)
Armed forces personnel: 24,100 personnel

Mali's armed forces are the Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Guard, and National Police (Sûreté Nationale). The President of Mali is he supreme commander of the Armed Forces and responsible for national defence. The total active manpower is around 7,700 military personnel. There is also a paramilitary force with 2,000 police officer (gendarmerie), and 2,800 national guards. The conscription is 30 months.
The land forces of Mali Armed forces are 6,900 soldiers with the structure:
2 armoured battalions, 4 infantry battalions, 1 paratroop/ special forces battalion, 2 artillery battalions, 1 engineer battalion, 2 commando companies, , 2 anti-aircraft artillery companies, and 1 SAM (ground-to-air missile) battery.

The President is the head of the state. Following the military putsch in August 2008 that ousted the President, the country is ruled by a High Council of State. The President of the High Council has the power for the Defense decision until the new presidential election.
The total active manpower for the Mauritanian Armed Forces is around 9,200 personnel. There is also a Para-military forces with 2,000 police officer, and 2,500 national guards. The National Guard is equipped and trained as an elite Army Unit.
The Land Forces of Mauritanian Army is around 8,600 soldiers with the structure:
- 7 infantry battalions
- 2 armoured car squadrons
- 1 parachute/commando battalion
- 2 camel corps battalions
- 1 reconnaissance squadron
- 2 artillery batteries
- 1 engineer company
- 4 anti-aircraft batteries

The Niger Armed Forces (French: Forces Armées Nigeriennes) (FAN) comprises both the military and national police services of the West African nation of Niger, totaling around 6,300 active personnel, 2,000 Republican Guard, 800 Gendarmerie, Presidential Guard and National Police.
The Nigerien land forces are 6,000 soldiers with the structure:
- 8 motorized infantry companies, 4 armoured recce squadrons, 1 engineer company, 2 paracommandos companies, 1 air defence company and 1 counter-terrorist company.

An updated Defence policy was approved in January 2005. The Nigerian Army had now new role in times of war as well as in international peace support operations and in domestic or international humanitarian relief missions.The total active manpower for the Nigerian army forcs is around 80,000 soldiers.
The total forces for the Nigerian Land Forces is around 70.000 soldiers, with the structure :
• 1 armd div (2 armd bde)
• 1 composite div (1 mot inf, 1 amph bde, 1 AB bn)
• 2 mech div (each 1 mech,1 mot inf bde)
• each div 1 arty, 1 engr bde, 1 recce bn
• 1 Presidential Guard bde (2 bn)
• 1 AD bde

The President is the Commander in Chief of the Rwanda Defence Forces. The RDF comprise of , the High Command Council, the General Staff, the Rwanda Land Forces, the Rwanda Air Force, and some specialised inter-service units.
The total armed forces is around 51,000 soldiers, included the National Police.
The Rwandan Land Forces is around 40,000 soldiers to be reduce to 25,000 soldiers. The structure is four division, each with three brigades.

The General Staff of the Senegalese Armed Forces is tasked with: ensuring inter-service coordination; guaranteeing that the Armed Forces are able to perform their general missions; implementing the relevant rules of employment; directing personnel training. The Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces assists the Defence Minister as regards the general organisation and support of the Armed Forces, and is responsible for the preparation of military plans and operations. The total armed forces of Senegalese Army are around 10,000 personnel. There is also a Para-military force with 6,000 police officer (Gendarmerie).
The total active manpower for the Land Forces of Senegalese Army is around 9,000 soldiers with the structure:
Army Staff with 2 Divisions (Operations and Logistics)

The Somali National Army was, up until 1991, made up of the army, navy, air force, and air defense command. The Somali Government's demise led to the de facto dissolution of the national armed forces. Efforts by the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to re-establish a regular armed force under the TFG Ministry of Defense have made progress so far.
Historical Organization
The army was organised into 12 divisions which controlled all of the following:
- 4 tank brigades
- 45 mechanized and infantry brigades
- 30 commando brigades
- Surface-to-air missile brigade
- 20 artillery brigades
- 30 field battalions, and an air defense battalion.

According to the Constitution, the President, as head of the national executive is the Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), and he is responsible to appoint the Chief of the SANDF. The department of Defence resorts under the Minister and Deputy Minister of Defence and their office is called the Ministry of Defence. The Secretary of Defence, who is a civilian director general, is the head of the department and acts according to the Constitution, Public Service Act of 1994 and the Public Finance Management Act of the 1999. The total armed forces of South Africa is around 75,000 personnel, There is no conscription.
The Land Forces of the South African armi are composed by 34,460 soldiers., with the structure:
- 2 Brigade HQ's
- 2 mechanised infantry battalions, 3 motorised infantry battalions, 10 light infantry battalions, 4 artillery regiments, 2 field engineer regiments, 1 construction regiment, 4 Survey and Mapping Regiment, 1 Military printing regiment,1 tactical intelligence regiment.

The Defense and Security Council is placed directly under the President, and it has sweeping powers to include not only defense matters but also political and economic issues that have defense or security related implications.
The totale active manpower for the Sudanese Armed Forces is around 64,000 personnel. There is also a Para-military force with 2,500 border guards and 500 national guards.
The Land Forces of Sudanese Army is 60,000 soldiers with the structure:
- 6 Regional Commands - 1 Armoured division HQ - 1 Republican Guard
- 2 armoured brigades - 2 infantry brigades - 1 parachute brigade
- 3 artillery regiments - 5 air defense brigades - 1 SAM battalion
- 1 engineer battalion - 1 ranger company - 1 Special Forces Unit

The Togolese armed forces are composed by a totale active manpower of around 9,300 personnel. There is also a Paramilitary forces with around 2,500 police officer (Gendarmerie).
The Land Forces of the Togolese army are composerd by around 8,800 soldiers with the structure:
- 1 battalion rapid intervention force, 1 infantry regiment, 2 armoured squadrons, 3 infantry battalions, 1 motorised infantry battalion, 1 mechanised infantry battalion, 3 commando battalion, 1 airborne company,1 field artillery battalion, 1 engineer logistic transport battalion,2 air-defense batteries, 1 Presidential Guard battalion.

The Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF), previously the National Resistance Army, is the armed forces of Uganda. The Naval service is part of the Army, while the previous Air Force has since become an independent Air Force. The total active manpower is around 40,000 military personnel.
The Uganda land forces are 38,000 soldiers with the structure:
- 5 Division HQs, 1 independent armoured brigade, 1 independent motorised infantry brigade, 1 independent tank battalion, 1 Presidential guard brigade, 1 engineer brigade.

The President of Zimbabwe is the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF). He also chairs the National Security Council, which comprises of the Prime Minister, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, National Security, Defense, Home Affairs and Finance, as well as the Commander of the Defense Forces and the Services Chiefs.
The total active manpower of the Zimbabwe Army is around 35,000 personnel, including the Para-military forces with the Police Support Unit, People’s Militia and Police Force.
The land forces of the Zimbabwe Army are around 25,000 soldiers with the structure:
- 7 Brigades HQ’s - 1 armoured regiment - 23 infantry battalions
- 2 artillery regiments - 1 engineer support regiment - 3 Presidential Guards bt.
- 1 command battalion