Africa free trade zone in operation by 2018

Africa free trade zone in operation by 2018: "Africa's free trade zone is expected to be operational by the end of 2017, a senior AU official said.

Chairperson of the African Union Commission Jean Ping said in Nairobi that this will be achieved through the merger of all African regional trade blocks.

"The heads of the states and government have committed to the realization of a continent wide free trade zone which is expected to operational by the end of 2017," Ping said in a speech read on his behalf by the AU Commission Chairperson Special Representative to Somalia Boubacar Diarra during the commemoration of the 49th anniversary of the Africa Day late on Friday.

The day celebrates the day that the Organization of African Unity which transformed to the African Union in 2002 was founded.

The day also celebrates the developments efforts and achievements made in the continent since the member states achieved liberation from colonial rule."

'via Blog this'