It's Day Two the Annual COMFWB Trade Fair. Learn more
Day Two of the Annual COMFWB Trade Fair.Learn more

second annual
regional trade fair
& Gala dinner

22nd - 24th September 2021

Lusaka, Zambia
New Opportunity
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Request for proposal for feasibility study of pre-construction work for COMFWB HQ Business Complex
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Latest News

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April 4, 2026
Meeting between the Minister of Family of Tunisia and the COMESA Federation of Women in Business’ Vice President and President of the National Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs(CNFCE)

La ministre tunisienne de la Famille, de la Femme, de l’Enfance et des Personnes âgées, Mme Asma Jebri, s’est entretenue avec Mme Leila Belkhiria Jaber, vice-présidente de COMESA Federation of Women in Business- COMFWB et présidente de la Chambre Nationale des Femmes Chefs d'Entreprises- CNFCE. Cette rencontre visait à coordonner les préparatifs de la grande manifestation régionale du #COMFWB - la 7ème édition de la Foire Commerciale et Conférence d'Affaires - CTF 7 du COMFWB qui se tiendra en Tunisie du 1er au 3 juillet 2026, avec la participation de 21 pays membres du COMESA.‍Au-delà de l'organisation de cet événement, les échanges ont porté sur le renforcement de la coopération en faveur de l’entrepreneuriat féminin. Les deux parties ont réaffirmé leur volonté de soutenir l’initiative privée des femmes et de consolider des partenariats stratégiques pour promouvoir le leadership économique féminin à l’échelle régionale.‍

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April 1, 2026
COMFWB Djibouti : Participation at the "Leadership and Entrepreneurship Forum"

COMFWB Djibouti members had a fantastic time at the "Centre de Leadership et de l’Entrepreneuriat" (CLE) Forum this past week! From March 29 to April 1, the association Dumar Iyo Dadaal /COMFWB Djibouti, was right in the heart of the action.‍They were proud to see their members shining! 3 of their amazing women entrepreneurs showcased their products as exhibitors and the association could share information on its mission with the visitors. Their members took to the stage in various panels to share their expertise.‍The forum was a deep dive into the realities of being an entrepreneur—celebrating the wins while being honest about the fiscal and business challenges women face. It was an incredibly valuable experience for everyone involved!

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April 1, 2026
Building a sustainable future: Graça Machel Trust and COMFWB Malawi celebrated the Graduation of 105 Trailblazing Entrepreneurs

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March 30, 2026
TUNISIA to host the CTF7 or 7th COMESA Women in Business Trade Fair and Business Conference

The 7th COMFWB Regional Trade Fair and Business Conference will be held in Tunis, Tunisia, from July 1–3, 2026. This landmark event, hosted by the CNFCE, aims to advance women’s economic empowerment and position Tunisia as a regional hub for inclusive trade. Under the theme "Expanding Intra-African Horizons: Digital Innovation as a Catalyst for Inclusive and Sustainable COMESA Market Access," the forum focuses on leveraging technology to bridge the gap between women entrepreneurs and international markets.

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March 18, 2026
Strategic synergy: COMFWB Ethiopia and Buna Bank partnered to fuel Female Entrepreneurship

Empowerment in Action! United for Progress. The Ethiopian Women Trade Association - #EWTA or #COMFWB_Ethiopia and Buna Bank teamed up for a dynamic joint session to honor International Women’s Day. They joined forces to spotlight the brilliance of women in the Ethiopian economy. More than just a celebration of the social and economic strides made by Ethiopian women, this meeting was a strategic powerhouse—forging a roadmap for collaboration to fuel the next generation of female-led businesses. The session went beyond applause, diving into concrete action plans to bridge the gap between financial resources and female entrepreneurs, ensuring women-owned businesses have the backing they need to thrive.

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March 16, 2026
A decade of excellence : GFEM-the official COMFWB Madagascar-and Ravinala Airports unveilled "Women in Leadership" exhibition

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the Groupement des Femmes Entrepreneurs de Madagascar officiel - GFEM or COMFWB Madagascar has partnered with Ravinala Airports to launch a groundbreaking museum-style exhibition: "Women in Leadership: 10 Years of Inspiration and Success. Located in the heart of Antananarivo International Airport, this unique display isn't just a gallery—it’s a symbol of rising horizons and global reach for Malagasy women. The grand opening brought together icons from the institutional and business worlds to honour a community that is actively transforming the nation's economy.

Our results in numbers

Our results in numbers

10,000+

Jobs created

Through our programs and initiatives, COMFWB has contributed to the creation of over 10,000 jobs. These job opportunities have a meaningful impact on local economies and the livelihoods of individuals, advancing our mission of women's economic empowerment.

$50M

Investment facilitation

Over the past five years, COMFWB has successfully facilitated over $US50 million in investments for women-led businesses across the COMESA region. This substantial financial support has driven economic growth and empowerment for women entrepreneurs in our network.

50%

Membership Increase

Since our inception, we have achieved a 50% increase in membership across the various COMFWB chapters, demonstrating our growing impact and outreach within the COMESA region.

100,000+

Women-owned businesses empower

COMFWB has trained over 100,000 women, equipping them with essential business skills, cross-border trade knowledge, and other tools necessary for success. These women are now empowered to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship and cross-border commerce, contributing to economic growth and regional integration.

1,500+

Cross-border collaborations

COMFWB has facilitated 1,500 cross-border collaborations among women entrepreneurs in the COMESA region. These collaborations have led to increased trade, knowledge sharing, and economic opportunities, fostering regional integration and empowerment.

2,500+

Women Entrepreneurs Supported by Incubators

COMFWB has enabled 2,500 women entrepreneurs to access essential business support services through partnerships with business incubators. This initiative has provided women with valuable resources and guidance to enhance their business ventures and overall economic success.

About us

Who Are We

The Comesa Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) is a COMESA institution which was established in July 1993 in Zimbabwe with the endorsement of the Authority which is made up of Heads of States and Governments of the COMESA member states.

COMFWB acts as a forum for the exchange of ideas and experience among women entrepreneurs; an instrument through which the appropriate portion of COMESA Women in Development Programmes are implemented; a forum for network among women entrepreneurs and an instrument for encouraging women to set up or expand existing enterprises.”

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About us

Testimonials

Catherine Olab
Farmer
Tangakona Commercial Village, Busia - Kenya

I thank God for COMFWB for opening our minds through the training offered to us. I have benefited very much from this training. I am now able to train other groups and also other trainers on value addition for the cassava produced here in Busia.

Maureen sumbwe
Chief Executive Officer
ZFAWIB -Zambia

The hard work by the women in business in Zambia is now yielding results especially with the help coming from stakeholders like COMESA, COMFWB and ZAM.

Our Partners