At the 7th COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) Trade Fair & Business Conference (CTF7), two impactful Masterclasses empowered African women leaders with the skills to strengthen both their leadership presence and digital business capabilities. The first session, "The Strategic and Visual Image of the Woman Leader," led by Ms. Hanene Kooli, focused on building authentic leadership through effective personal branding and non-verbal communication. The second Masterclass, "From Local Craftsmanship to Continental Commerce: Building a Profitable Digital Export Brand in 90 Days," was co-organized with the AfCFTA Support Project and delivered by Ms. Marwa Moula and Mr. Mehdi Ben Abdallah of ILEY'COM. Participants gained practical training in AI-powered e-commerce, digital branding, export logistics, cross-border payments, and international market access, leaving with personalized 90-day digital export plans. Together, the sessions reinforced COMFWB's commitment to equipping African women entrepreneurs with the leadership and digital trade skills needed to thrive in continental markets under the AfCFTA.

The COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB), in partnership with the COMESA Secretariat and the Government of Seychelles, has launched major initiatives to strengthen entrepreneurship and economic inclusion for women and youth across Africa. During a high-level mission to Seychelles, COMESA Secretary General H.E. Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe held strategic discussions with government leaders to enhance skills development, expand regional trade opportunities, and promote job creation for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). A key milestone was the groundbreaking of the COMFWB Seychelles Incubation & Innovation Hub at Ile Perseverance. The Hub will provide business incubation, mentorship, market access, and innovation support to help entrepreneurs develop competitive, value-added products. The mission also marked the official launch of the Business Incubation for African Youth and Women Entrepreneurs (BIAYWE) Programme, implemented under the Creating Opportunities for Youth and Women in Africa (COYWA) framework. The programme focuses on improving access to finance, accelerating business growth, and connecting entrepreneurs to regional markets. These initiatives reaffirm COMFWB and COMESA's commitment to transforming regional integration into tangible opportunities, empowering women and youth entrepreneurs while fostering sustainable economic growth across the COMESA region.

Through the annual COMFWB Awards, the COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) reaffirms its commitment to trailblazing leadership, economic resilience, and transformative innovation across Africa. Far more than a ceremonial night, this flagship platform shines a brilliant spotlight on the visionaries, emerging forces, and game-changing organizations actively powering trade, job creation, and sustainable prosperity throughout the 21 COMESA Member States. Unveiled during the prestigious 7th COMFWB Trade Fair (CTF7) Gala Dinner, this year's accolades celebrate the full spectrum of our vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem—from bold innovators dismantling old paradigms to dynamic national chapters accelerating cross-border growth.

The COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) hosted the high-level Business Conference from 1st to 2nd July 2026 in Tunisia, taking center stage as a core highlight of the 7th COMESA Trade Fair (CTF7).Bringing together over 1,000 participants and 60 international experts—spanning policymakers, regional institutions, international organizations, private sector leaders, investors, academics, and entrepreneurs across the 21 COMESA Member States—the conference served as a vibrant platform for reflection, dialogue, and cross-border collaboration.Held under the theme “One Market, One Future: Digital Pathways to Harnessing the AfCFTA,” the event aimed to transform strategic ambitions for African economic integration into concrete, actionable business outcomes, with an unwavering focus on women-led enterprises, youth, and inclusive growth.

Empowering Women, Digitizing Trade: 7th COMFWB Trade Fair and Business Conference The 7th COMFWB Trade Fair and Business Conference (CTF7), held at the UTICA headquarters in Tunis, Tunisia, successfully convened 190 international delegates and 130 women entrepreneurs across 100 exhibition booths representing all 21 COMESA Member States. Officially opened by Tunisia’s Minister of Trade and Export Development, Mr. Samir Obaid, alongside COMESA Secretary General H.E. Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, COMFWB Chairperson Madam Maureen Sumbwe, and other key regional leaders, the three-day event attracted over 2,000 visitors. The trade fair underscored Tunisia’s commitment to African economic integration while positioning women-led enterprises at the heart of continental growth, innovation, and competitiveness. Central to COMFWB's core mission, the CTF7 served as an impactful, practical platform for women entrepreneurs to showcase their products, access expanded COMESA markets, and build regional value chains. By fostering cross-border B2B networking, technical partnerships, and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, the event empowered women-led SMEs to learn from one another and scale together. High-level discussions reinforced the urgent need to accelerate digital transformation, embrace e-commerce, expand accessible trade financing, and dismantle barriers, ensuring women business owners drive and lead the future of intra-African trade under the AfCFTA.

Empowering Women, Digitizing Trade: 7th COMFWB Trade Fair & Business Conference Opens in Tunis July 1, 2026 — Tunis, Tunisia: The 7th COMFWB Trade Fair & Business Conference officially convened in Tunis under the theme "Digital Pathways to Harnessing the AfCFTA." Inaugurated by H.E. Asma Jebri (Tunisia's Minister of Women and Family) and H.E. Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe (COMESA Secretary General), the event focuses on equipping women-led businesses with digital platforms, e-commerce networks, and strategic B2B connections needed to thrive within the African Continental Free Trade Area. Key Conference Deliverables: AfCFTA Integration: Strategic roadmaps for cross-border trade. Digital Transformation: Accelerated adoption of e-commerce platforms for SMEs. Regional Networks: Strengthening trade linkages and investment across COMESA member states.