President Hage Geingob and First Lady Monica Geingos arrived in Niamey, Niger for the 12th Extraordinary Session of the African Union. The summit is expected to launch the operational phase of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) with the broader aim to boost trade and market access of 1,2 billion people. Fifty-four out of 55 AU member states have signed the AfCFTA and 25 have ratified it so far. The AU is expecting the full trading to start in July 2020. President Geingob, as SADC Chairperson, will deliver a statement on work of the regional bloc to promote integration and free movement of goods and services.