COMESA and COMFWB spearheaded transformative youth and women empowerment initiatives in Seychelles
The COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB), in close collaboration with the COMESA Secretariat and the Government of Seychelles, has marked a monumental milestone in advancing inclusive economic development across Africa. During a high-level official mission to Seychelles, leadership convened key national and regional stakeholders to launch major initiatives aimed at converting regional integration policies into concrete opportunities for women and youth entrepreneurs.
High-Level Strategic Engagements Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation
As part of the mission, Her Excellency Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, Secretary General of COMESA, held strategic bilateral engagements with key Seychellois dignitaries, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and senior leadership from the Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs.
These consultations reaffirmed a shared commitment to fostering sustainable development by removing systemic barriers facing youth and women. Discussions centered on:
· Targeted Capacity Building: Enhancing technical and managerial skills for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
· Inclusive Trade Participation: Facilitating regional market access across the 21 COMESA Member States.
· Job Creation: Supporting innovative business models capable of driving sustainable employment.
Groundbreaking of the COMFWB Incubation & Innovation Hub
In a landmark ceremony at Ile Perseverance, the physical foundation for regional economic transformation was laid. The groundbreaking of the COMFWB Seychelles Incubation & Innovation Hub was jointly unveiled by:
· H.E. Dr. Patrick Herminie, President of the Republic of Seychelles
· Hon. Geraldine Desaubin, Minister for Industry and Enterprise
· H.E. Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, Secretary General of COMESA
Spearheaded by the COMFWB Seychelles Chapter, this flagship facility serves as a long-term investment in Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Hub will act as a dynamic platform offering incubation services, technical mentorship, market linkage support, and collaborative spaces.
Addressing the critical need for regional value addition, Mr. Chikakula Miti, CEO of COMFWB, emphasized:
"For decades, Africa has exported raw materials, resulting in a loss of domestic jobs and processing value. Through this Hub and its supporting programs, COMFWB is directly enabling local MSMEs to transition toward producing high-value, market-ready commodities."
Official Launch of the Business Incubation for African Youth and Women (BIAYWE) Programme
Furthering this momentum, the Business Incubation for African Youth and Women Entrepreneurs (BIAYWE) programme was officially launched at the Eden Bleu Hotel. The high-level event was presided over by H.E. Mr. Sebastien Pillay, Vice-President of the Republic of Seychelles, alongside First Lady Véronique Herminie, cabinet ministers, and international development partners from the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The BIAYWE initiative operates under the broader umbrella of the Creating Opportunities for Youth and Women in Africa (COYWA) Programme, marking Seychelles' official integration as a key execution partner. Under COMFWB’s operational leadership, the initiative delivers:
1. Access to Capital: Direct support to bridge financial gaps for early-stage ventures.
2. Market Integration: Unlocking cross-border trade opportunities within the regional bloc.
3. Enterprise Acceleration: Converting raw innovative concepts into commercially viable and resilient enterprises.
Delivering Regional Integration on the Ground
In her keynote address, H.E. Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe highlighted that true regional integration must go beyond policy harmonization to produce tangible community impact. By pairing physical infrastructure—such as the COMFWB Incubation & Innovation Hub—with targeted programs like BIAYWE and COYWA, COMESA and COMFWB are equipping the next generation of African entrepreneurs to lead the continent's economic transformation.
As COMFWB rolls out the COYWA framework across its chapters, Seychelles stands out as a leading example of how strategic partnerships between regional bodies, national governments, and international development partners can build sustainable, resilient economies from the ground up.
The COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB), in close collaboration with the COMESA Secretariat and the Government of Seychelles, has marked a monumental milestone in advancing inclusive economic development across Africa. During a high-level official mission to Seychelles, leadership convened key national and regional stakeholders to launch major initiatives aimed at converting regional integration policies into concrete opportunities for women and youth entrepreneurs.
High-Level Strategic Engagements Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation
As part of the mission, Her Excellency Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, Secretary General of COMESA, held strategic bilateral engagements with key Seychellois dignitaries, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and senior leadership from the Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs.
These consultations reaffirmed a shared commitment to fostering sustainable development by removing systemic barriers facing youth and women. Discussions centered on:
· Targeted Capacity Building: Enhancing technical and managerial skills for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
· Inclusive Trade Participation: Facilitating regional market access across the 21 COMESA Member States.
· Job Creation: Supporting innovative business models capable of driving sustainable employment.
Groundbreaking of the COMFWB Incubation & Innovation Hub
In a landmark ceremony at Ile Perseverance, the physical foundation for regional economic transformation was laid. The groundbreaking of the COMFWB Seychelles Incubation & Innovation Hub was jointly unveiled by:
· H.E. Dr. Patrick Herminie, President of the Republic of Seychelles
· Hon. Geraldine Desaubin, Minister for Industry and Enterprise
· H.E. Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, Secretary General of COMESA
Spearheaded by the COMFWB Seychelles Chapter, this flagship facility serves as a long-term investment in Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Hub will act as a dynamic platform offering incubation services, technical mentorship, market linkage support, and collaborative spaces.
Addressing the critical need for regional value addition, Mr. Chikakula Miti, CEO of COMFWB, emphasized:
"For decades, Africa has exported raw materials, resulting in a loss of domestic jobs and processing value. Through this Hub and its supporting programs, COMFWB is directly enabling local MSMEs to transition toward producing high-value, market-ready commodities."
Official Launch of the Business Incubation for African Youth and Women (BIAYWE) Programme
Furthering this momentum, the Business Incubation for African Youth and Women Entrepreneurs (BIAYWE) programme was officially launched at the Eden Bleu Hotel. The high-level event was presided over by H.E. Mr. Sebastien Pillay, Vice-President of the Republic of Seychelles, alongside First Lady Véronique Herminie, cabinet ministers, and international development partners from the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The BIAYWE initiative operates under the broader umbrella of the Creating Opportunities for Youth and Women in Africa (COYWA) Programme, marking Seychelles' official integration as a key execution partner. Under COMFWB’s operational leadership, the initiative delivers:
1. Access to Capital: Direct support to bridge financial gaps for early-stage ventures.
2. Market Integration: Unlocking cross-border trade opportunities within the regional bloc.
3. Enterprise Acceleration: Converting raw innovative concepts into commercially viable and resilient enterprises.
Delivering Regional Integration on the Ground
In her keynote address, H.E. Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe highlighted that true regional integration must go beyond policy harmonization to produce tangible community impact. By pairing physical infrastructure—such as the COMFWB Incubation & Innovation Hub—with targeted programs like BIAYWE and COYWA, COMESA and COMFWB are equipping the next generation of African entrepreneurs to lead the continent's economic transformation.
As COMFWB rolls out the COYWA framework across its chapters, Seychelles stands out as a leading example of how strategic partnerships between regional bodies, national governments, and international development partners can build sustainable, resilient economies from the ground up.
