A new continent wide free trade area came into force after months of delays.

經過數月的拖延，一個新的全大陸自由貿易區已經生效。

Experts view the launch is largely symbolic, with full implementation of the deal expected to take years, but the World Bank estimates it could lift tens of millions out of poverty by 2035.

專家認為，此次啟動主要是象徵性的，預計全面實施該協議需要數年時間，但世界銀行估計，到2035年可使數千萬人脫貧。

The African Continental Free Trade Area aims to bring together 1.3 billion people in a $3.4 trillion economic bloc that would make it the largest free trade area since the establishment of the World Trade Organization.

非洲大陸自由貿易區的目標是將13億人聚集在一個3.4萬億美元的經濟集團中，使其成為世界貿易組織成立以來最大的自由貿易區。

Backers say it will boost trade among African neighbors while allowing the continent to develop its own value chains.

支持者說，這將促進非洲鄰國之間的貿易，同時讓非洲大陸發展自己的價值鏈。

But obstacles remain and must be overcome if the block is to reach its full potential from red tape and poor infrastructure to entrench protectionism.

但障礙依然存在，如果該區塊要充分發揮其潛力，必須克服從繁文縟節和基礎設施差到鞏固保護主義的障礙。