News

The COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) Secretariat and national chapter representatives from the DRC, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe recently participated in the ECoWYERT Training of Trainers (ToT) initiative in Gaborone, Botswana.Hosted by the UNDP, this program is part of a 5-year regional framework alongside the International Trade Centre, the Better Than Cash Alliance, and the Trade and Development Fund, supported by the Mastercard Foundation. The initiative equips business development practitioners to address institutional, digital, and financial barriers limiting cross-border trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Ethiopian Women’s Trade Association (EWTA), the official COMFWB Ethiopia Chapter, and ECO Trade recently held a strategic bilateral meeting to establish a long-term partnership focused on empowering women entrepreneurs and promoting sustainable business growth. The discussions highlighted each organization's strengths, with EWTA showcasing its nationwide network and focus on financial inclusion, technical skills development, digital literacy, and regional trade integration. ECO Trade presented its expertise in business advisory services, market linkages, and inclusive capital markets. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening institutional collaboration, expanding trade opportunities, and supporting the growth and competitiveness of women-led enterprises in Ethiopia and across the region.

FOWEK successfully hosted an engaging AI for Business Workshop, bringing together entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals for a dynamic day of practical learning focused on harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence in the workplace.Facilitated by Joan Mbesya, the workshop provided participants with hands-on experience in using a wide range of AI-powered tools to enhance their daily operations. Participants explored effective prompting techniques and learned how to integrate AI with commonly used platforms such as Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar, and Canva to improve productivity, streamline workflows, save time, and enhance business performance.

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.