The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will present vast opportunities for member states to develop their economies, while ensuring that the continent presents a united front when dealing with its outside partners, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Wednesday.

President Mnangagwa is in Maputo attending the 12th U.S-Africa Business summit, a platform for engagements between the American private sector and African governments.

The AfCFTA, a flagship project of the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063, came into force last month, becoming the world’s largest free trade pact following its ratification by 24 AU member states, including Zimbabwe.

Speaking of the advantages of the free trade area during a plenary session here, President Mnangagwa said Africa, having liberated itself from colonial rule, was now at a stage of prioritising economic development.

Africa was pursuing.