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African Trade Pact Starts Operations With 54 Signatories

  • Benin, Nigeria sign up to free trade accord at Niger summit
  • Free trade to start in July 2020; lift 90% of tariffs by 2030
Cargo ships are docked at the Apapa Sea Port in Lagos. 

Cargo ships are docked at the Apapa Sea Port in Lagos. 

Photographer: Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP via Getty Images

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A landmark free-trade agreement removing most tariffs and other commercial barriers in the African continent became operational on Sunday, as 54 member states agreed on the process to implement the accord.