Egypt and 44 African countries signed the Pan-African Continental Free-Trade Zone (CFTZ) agreement yesterday in Kigali, Rwanda. CFTZ aims to create a single continental market for goods and services in Africa. Additionally, it would promote infrastructure development amongst the signatory countries. Following the signing, the Trade and Industry Ministry said in a statement that the agreement would also reduce a number of customs duties between participants, which would be completely eliminated in the later stages of the agreement. He added that it would also reduce travel restrictions for investors and professionals in a number of strategic sectors, including energy, financial services, health, education, IT and agriculture. The signatories will still have to go through further talks to conclude the timeframe of implementing the signed treaty.