section_path: Economy
section_name: Economy
paragraph_text: Economy
  
  The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was created among 54 of the 55 AU nations, with trade commencing as of 1 January 2021. The African Export–Import Bank, to support this initiative, created the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System.
  
  The AU's future goals include a customs union, a single market, a central bank, and a common currency (see African Monetary Union), thereby establishing economic and monetary union.