Ethiopia today officially launched the implementation program for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, a move described as opening a "golden chapter" that strategically links the nation's vision for prosperity with continental integration.

The government stated that the AfCFTA is a robust strategy for "peace and prosperity," creating a foundation for industrial development, job creation, and equitable benefits by connecting an African market of 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion.

Success, officials stressed, will depend critically on institutional coordination, improving infrastructure and logistics, and ensuring the business community engages in fair competition.