HARARE, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world Friday in commemorating the 55th anniversary of Africa Day with a pledge to intensify the fight against corruption.

The country marked the commemorations for the first time under the new administration led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

His administration has made the fight against corruption a priority as it seeks to steer economic growth.

This week, the Zimbabwe government established a special anti-corruption unit to improve efficiency in the fight against all forms of graft and to strengthen the effectiveness of national mechanisms for the prevention of corruption.

Foreign Affairs Minister Sibusiso Moyo said Zimbabwe embraces Africa's vision to end graft so that the continent can realize meaningful development.

"For this to happen, it is imperative that we intensify our efforts to rid our continent of the cancer of corruption that is debilitating our economies," he said.

According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Africa loses at least 25 percent of its average gross domestic product (GDP) through various corrupt activities.

This year's celebrations also come at a time when the continent in March this year launched the continent-wide free trade area to boost intra-Africa trade and regional integration.