In March 2018, an agreement brokered by the African Union (AU) and was signed on by 44 of its 55 member states in Kigali, Rwanda. The agreement is called The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with an objective of promoting trade within African countries.

The agreement initially requires members to remove tariffs from 90% of goods, allowing free access to commodities, goods, and services across the continent. The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa estimates that the agreement will boost intra-African trade by 52 percent by 2022.

Still in the works, the proposal will come into force after ratification by 22 of the signatory states, of which 19 have done the due process, making the initiative almost ready.