News

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.

The COMESA Week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, centered around the 2nd Awareness Forum and the 6th COMFWB Trade Fair, highlighted the importance of regional integration and women's economic empowerment through resilient value chains in agriculture, mining, and tourism. Convening government officials, private sector leaders, women entrepreneurs, and youth, the events, officially opened by Ethiopia's Minister of Trade and Regional Integration and underscored by the COMESA Secretary General, emphasized the alignment of these initiatives with Ethiopia's development goals and the significant role of the COMFWB in fostering inclusive growth, with support from the European Union

Kenya has been officially declared the host of the 7th COMFWB Trade Fair and Business Conference in 2026, an announcement celebrated at the 6th COMFWB Gala Dinner in Addis Ababa. Ambassador George Orina of Kenya emphasized that this event transcends a typical trade show, serving as a dynamic platform to foster connections among women entrepreneurs across borders and boost inter-regional commerce. He urged governments to support entrepreneurs with enabling policies and infrastructure, affirming that empowering women in business is crucial for Africa's hope, dignity, and future, with Kenya eagerly anticipating to host an unforgettable experience.

Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, will host the 6th COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) Trade Fair and Business Conference from May 7th to 9th, 2025, as part of the broader COMESA WEEK (May 5th-7th, 2025), under the theme "A Thriving COMESA advancing Gender Responsive Regional Integration for Unlocking Green Investments, Value Chains, Tourism and Mining in the AfCFTA." This significant event, organized by COMFWB in collaboration with COMESA and the Ethiopian Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration, aims to empower women entrepreneurs from the 21 member states by providing a platform for networking, B2B interactions, knowledge sharing, and exploring opportunities within the COMESA, SADC, and EAC Free Trade Area, with a focus on sectors like agribusiness, textiles, tourism, technology, and green investments, culminating in a closing gala to celebrate achievements.

Quelle journée incroyable pour les femmes entrepreneurs du Congo ! Le 27 mars dernier, la Commission Nationale des Femmes Entrepreneures CNFE, ou COMFWB Congo, a absolument secoué le siège de la FEC à Kinshasa avec une session d'information exceptionnelle ! Il s'agissait d'une puissante célébration du Mois de la femme, au cours de laquelle le directeur général de la FEC, M. Thierry Ngoy Kasumba, a promis le soutien indéfectible de la FEC aux femmes qui sont le moteur de l'économie congolaise. L'énergie était palpable et l'engagement à donner du pouvoir à ces femmes incroyables était clair ! Cette session innovante a également servi de tremplin officiel pour le projet révolutionnaire KOLISSA COP ! Cette initiative qui change la donne, une collaboration entre le CNFE et l'incubateur Pull Up Business Women, est destinée à faire monter en flèche les capacités des femmes entrepreneurs congolaises !