After years of talks, July 7 2019, marks the date when 54 individual African states signed the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, effectively making Africa the world’s largest free trade area by number of countries since the formation of the World Trade Organization.
The goal of this was to establish a single continent-wide market for goods and services across 54 countries, allow the free movement of business travelers and investments, and spur economic growth and development, similar to how the European Union created a single market out of many different individual states. By increasing regional trade, lowering trade costs and streamlining border procedures, full implementation of the pact would be a huge step forward for Africa, demonstrating to the world that it is emerging as a leader in global trade.
And So what if this giant African market gives rise to a new country.. A fusion of all 55 countries into one massive un-partitioned state called the United States of Africa?