Empowering African Women and Youth : Highlights from the 6th COMFWB Business Conference

During the 6th COMFWB Trade Fair and Business Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in May 2025, seven business conferences and one masterclass were successfully held, attracting a total of 1200 participants. Over 50 prominent panelists and moderators from various sectors, including public institutions, technical and financial partners, and women and youth entrepreneurs, shared their unparalleled expertise and vision. These sessions provided an invaluable opportunity for attendees to connect, gain knowledge, and foster growth within a supportive community of women. In addition to the conferences, B2B platforms were organized to facilitate connections between business owners and partners. A special masterclass on "Trading under AfCFTA and COMESA: Market Opportunities," specifically designed for trade-ready women entrepreneurs, was also organized by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS).

Business Conference Themes and Key Inputs:

• Theme 1: Enhancing participation of women and youth entrepreneurs in the Africa Continental FTA: Harnessing COMESA, EAC, SADC, FTA for inclusive growth.
  
  • This theme offered insights into leveraging existing regional trade agreements to boost the involvement of women and youth in the continental free trade area.‍
• ‍Theme 2: Strategic Institutional synergies for regional and continental trade integration: Empowering women and youth entrepreneurs‍
  
  • Discussions focused on fostering collaboration among institutions to create a more integrated trade environment that empowers women and youth.

• Theme 3: Enhancing Access to sustainable Finance for women and Youth Entrepreneurs
  • Experts provided guidance on securing sustainable financial resources and investment opportunities crucial for the growth of women and youth-led businesses.
• Theme 4: Increasing Investments for Youth entrepreneurs structuring Growth and Success
  • This session explored strategies and opportunities to attract more investment specifically for youth entrepreneurs, aiding their business expansion and achievement.
• Theme 5: Promoting Access to Digital Trade Platforms and Solutions to integrate women and youth into the digital economy
  • Participants learned about the importance and availability of digital tools and platforms to help women and youth thrive in the digital marketplace.
• Theme 6: Accelerating Regional integration through tourism
  • The conference highlighted the role of the tourism sector in fast-tracking regional integration and creating economic opportunities.
• Theme 7: Shaping an Inclusive Future: The impact of youth entrepreneurs in Green and Circular Economies through Sustainable Investment
  • This theme showcased how youth entrepreneurs are driving sustainable development through their involvement in green and circular economies, attracting responsible investments.
• Theme 8: AfCFTA Protocol to foster the economic empowerment of women and youth across the continent
  • Discussions centered on the specific provisions within the AfCFTA protocol designed to advance the economic empowerment of women and youth across Africa

In conclusion, the 6th COMFWB Trade Fair and Business Conference served as a pivotal platform for advancing regional integration and empowering women and youth entrepreneurs across Africa. Through a series of insightful conferences and a specialized masterclass, participants gained invaluable knowledge, fostered critical connections, and explored diverse opportunities for growth in key sectors like trade, finance, digital economy, tourism, and green initiatives. The active engagement of over 50 prominent experts underscored the commitment to creating an inclusive future, demonstrating how strategic collaborations and targeted interventions can significantly contribute to the economic empowerment of women and youth within the framework of the AfCFTA and other regional trade agreements.

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