News

On May 27, 2025, the COMFWB Burundi Chapter (AFAB), with support from ICR and SNV, validated its Code of Conduct and Protocol for the Prevention of Abuse, Exploitation, and Sexual Harassment (PEAHS), marking a significant step towards a safer environment for women entrepreneurs in Burundi. This pioneering initiative establishes a clear framework for reporting misconduct and accessing comprehensive support, including healthcare, psychological, and legal aid, while also outlining sanctions for perpetrators and implementing preventative measures. Reinforced by subsequent training for provincial focal points, this achievement aims to foster trust, transparency, and confidence for AFAB members and their employees, ushering in a new era of ethical business practices in the country.

The 6th COMFWB Trade Fair and Business Conference, held in Addis Ababa in May 2025, convened 1200 participants and over 50 expert panelists for seven business conferences and a specialized masterclass. This pivotal event facilitated knowledge exchange, networking, and growth opportunities for women and youth entrepreneurs, addressing key themes such as leveraging regional trade agreements like the AfCFTA, enhancing access to finance and digital platforms, fostering institutional synergies, and promoting sustainable investments in green and circular economies. The conference, complemented by B2B platforms and a masterclass on AfCFTA and COMESA market opportunities for women, underscored a collective commitment to advancing regional integration and the economic empowerment of women and youth across Africa.

SESSION 1 and INAUGURAL CONFERENCE on"Enhancing participation of Women and Youth entrepreneurs in the AfCFTA :Harnessing COMESA, EAC, SADC, FTA for inclusive growth". At the end of the Conference, the panelists were convinced that to truly unlock the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area(AfCFTA) for inclusive growth, a concerted effort must focus on significantly enhancing the participation of women and youth entrepreneurs.

On May 7th, 2025, Ethiopian government officials and COMFWB representatives visited the 6th COMFWB Trade Fair in Addis Ababa, where approximately 250 women entrepreneurs from diverse sectors showcased their products and services over two days. This significant event provided crucial access to potential customers and strategic partners, enhanced brand recognition among key decision-makers, and facilitated the display of innovative products, highlighting the COMESA region's economic potential.

The successful 6th COMESA Business Women Federation (COMFWB) Trade Fair, held in Addis Ababa from May 7th to 9th, 2025, commenced with an opening ceremony graced by prominent figures including the COMESA Secretary General, Ethiopia's Speaker of the House and Minister of Trade, and COMFWB leadership from both the regional and Ethiopian chapters. This significant event drew over 250 participants, including women entrepreneurs from all 21 COMESA member countries, government officials, diplomats, and various stakeholders, who gathered to emphasize the importance of supporting women and youth in trade, recognized women's crucial role in the regional economy, and utilize the Trade Fair as a platform for trade, empowerment, and addressing existing challenges.

The COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) successfully held its annual General Assembly on May 6th, 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, bringing together Chapter Chairpersons and representatives from all 21 member countries, along with COMESA and COMFWB leadership. This high-level meeting served as a crucial platform to review the progress of the 2025 work plan and budget, provide updates on the upcoming Trade Fair and Business Conference, including new guiding principles, and for the General Assembly, as the supreme policy organ, to set the strategic direction for empowering women in business across the COMESA region.