African leaders met on Sunday to launch a continental free-trade zone that if successful would unite 1.3 billion people, create a $3.4 trillion economic bloc and usher in a new era of development.

Rwandan president Paul Kagame says the African Union could become a strong body as the European Union despite well documented hurdles.

Regional integration in Africa has made tremendous strides. But the work is not done.

"The Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in Africa group together individual countries in subregions for the purposes of achieving greater economic integration."

There was spontaneous applause as Africa’s largest economy Nigeria signed up to a deal that experts say could provide far-reaching benefits, but only if it is implemented properly.

After four years of talks, African leaders announced an agreement to form a 55-nation trade bloc.

Africa is trading - just not within the continent. The African Union wants to change this and launch the world's largest free trade area. The plan has potential, but some member states are keeping the AU in suspense.

Video gives details around SADC areas of concern and potential improvements.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is a Regional Economic Community comprising 16 Member States. Established in 1992, SADC is committed to Regional Integration and poverty eradication within Southern Africa through economic development and ensuring peace and security.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) was established as a development coordinating conference (SADCC) in 1980 and transformed into a development community in 1992.

This collection of essays by various authors covers the regional blocs in Africa including COMESA, SADC and ECOWAS. It compares and contrasts them with the EU, ASEAN and MERCOSUR.