Uniting regional visionaries : 7th COMFWB Trade Fair catalyzed market access, networking, and growth for Women Entrepreneurs in COMESA Region
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The 7th COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) Trade Fair and Business Conference (CTF7), held from July 1–3, 2026, at the UTICA headquarters in Tunis, Tunisia, marked a milestone in driving women-led economic integration across the continent.
At the core of COMFWB’s mandate is the firm conviction that women entrepreneurs are not merely participants in the economy, but primary catalysts for intra-African trade and sustainable development. The 7th edition of the regional gathering translated this vision into action, creating a vibrant, high-energy launchpad for women-led enterprises to step into the regional and global spotlight.
A Powerful Regional Footprint
The event demonstrated the unifying power of COMFWB, bringing together leaders, innovators, and key economic actors from across the continent:
- Regional Mobilization: Around 190 international delegates from 21 countries, representing every COMESA Member State, gathered in Tunis to chart the future of regional trade.
- National and regional Showcase: All 21 COMESA Member States operated dedicated exhibition booths, anchored by representatives from their respective national COMFWB chapters. These spaces served as focal points to highlight national initiatives, investment opportunities, and country-specific trade developments.
- Empowered Exhibitors: Approximately 130 women entrepreneurs from Tunisia and across the COMESA region showcased their products and services across 100 exhibition booths hosted at UTICA.
- Massive Public Engagement: The three-day exhibition drew over 2,000 visitors, generating dynamic foot traffic, brand exposure, and direct commercial interest for participating businesswomen.
High-Level Endorsement and Continental Leadership
The opening ceremony reflected the strong political and institutional support backing COMFWB’s mission. The event was officially inaugurated by Mr. Samir Obaid, Minister of Trade and Export Development of Tunisia, alongside distinguished leaders including:
- H.E. Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, COMESA Secretary General
- Mr. Samir Majoul, President of UTIC
- Madam Maureen Sumbwe, Chairperson of the COMFWB Board of Directors
- Mrs. Leila Jaber, Vice-President of the COMFWB Board of Directors and President of CNFCE (COMFWB Tunisia Chapter)
- Mr. Miti Chikakula, Executive Director of COMFWB
The ceremony was further honored by a high-level assembly of government representatives, ambassadors, leaders of African and international organizations, grantmakers, and development finance institutions.
In his opening address, Minister Samir Obaid reaffirmed Tunisia's commitment to African economic integration. He noted that African women are essential partners in building inclusive economies, praising their proven track record in innovation, resilience, and executive leadership across diverse sectors. He paid tribute to the pioneering role of Tunisian and African businesswomen in expanding into foreign markets, scaling institutions, and boosting continental competitiveness.
Championing Women's Economic Empowerment and Regional Synergy
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The CTF7 platform was deliberately structured to address the holistic needs of growing, women-led enterprises. Beyond the vibrant exhibition space, the conference functioned as an engine for four strategic priorities:
1. Market Access and Regional Value Chains
COMFWB provided a direct pathway for women-owned enterprises—particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs)—to navigate and access broader regional markets. By exhibiting alongside peers from 21 nations, women entrepreneurs were able to demonstrate product excellence, evaluate regional demand, and identify practical avenues to integrate into emerging regional value chains.
2. Strategic B2B Partnerships and Technical Collaboration
The trade fair served as a catalyst for cross-border collaboration. Businesswomen actively engaged in targeted networking, laying the groundwork for joint ventures, supply chain partnerships, and technical co-operations. These linkages enable participating businesses to upgrade their operational standards, optimize technology transfer, and build cross-border commercial alliances.
3. Mutual Learning and Knowledge Exchange
By bringing together 130 diverse exhibitors from across North, East, and Southern Africa, CTF7 created a rich space for peer-to-peer mentorship and collective growth. Women entrepreneurs shared best practices, discussed strategies for navigating trade barriers, and learned from one another's operational successes in navigating cross-border trade.
4. Policy Alignment and Ecosystem Support
The discussions emphasized the necessity of a supportive enabling environment. Key calls to action focused on expanding targeted financing mechanisms for women-led projects, accelerating digital transformation and e-commerce adoption, fostering innovation, and streamlining trade protocols to remove barriers at cross-border points.
Driving the Future Together
Following the formal addresses, Minister Samir Obaid and the accompanying delegation visited the exhibition halls, meeting directly with women entrepreneurs and exploring the vast array of African-made products and services on display.
The success of the 7th COMFWB Trade Fair reinforces COMFWB’s position as a pillar for women’s economic advancement in Africa. By equipping women entrepreneurs with the platforms, networks, and market linkages needed to thrive, COMFWB continues to convert continental trade frameworks into real, tangible prosperity for women across the COMESA region and beyond.
The 7th COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) Trade Fair and Business Conference (CTF7), held from July 1–3, 2026, at the UTICA headquarters in Tunis, Tunisia, marked a milestone in driving women-led economic integration across the continent.
At the core of COMFWB’s mandate is the firm conviction that women entrepreneurs are not merely participants in the economy, but primary catalysts for intra-African trade and sustainable development. The 7th edition of the regional gathering translated this vision into action, creating a vibrant, high-energy launchpad for women-led enterprises to step into the regional and global spotlight.
A Powerful Regional Footprint
The event demonstrated the unifying power of COMFWB, bringing together leaders, innovators, and key economic actors from across the continent:
- Regional Mobilization: Around 190 international delegates from 21 countries, representing every COMESA Member State, gathered in Tunis to chart the future of regional trade.
- National and regional Showcase: All 21 COMESA Member States operated dedicated exhibition booths, anchored by representatives from their respective national COMFWB chapters. These spaces served as focal points to highlight national initiatives, investment opportunities, and country-specific trade developments.
- Empowered Exhibitors: Approximately 130 women entrepreneurs from Tunisia and across the COMESA region showcased their products and services across 100 exhibition booths hosted at UTICA.
- Massive Public Engagement: The three-day exhibition drew over 2,000 visitors, generating dynamic foot traffic, brand exposure, and direct commercial interest for participating businesswomen.
High-Level Endorsement and Continental Leadership
The opening ceremony reflected the strong political and institutional support backing COMFWB’s mission. The event was officially inaugurated by Mr. Samir Obaid, Minister of Trade and Export Development of Tunisia, alongside distinguished leaders including:
- H.E. Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, COMESA Secretary General
- Mr. Samir Majoul, President of UTIC
- Madam Maureen Sumbwe, Chairperson of the COMFWB Board of Directors
- Mrs. Leila Jaber, Vice-President of the COMFWB Board of Directors and President of CNFCE (COMFWB Tunisia Chapter)
- Mr. Miti Chikakula, Executive Director of COMFWB
The ceremony was further honored by a high-level assembly of government representatives, ambassadors, leaders of African and international organizations, grantmakers, and development finance institutions.
In his opening address, Minister Samir Obaid reaffirmed Tunisia's commitment to African economic integration. He noted that African women are essential partners in building inclusive economies, praising their proven track record in innovation, resilience, and executive leadership across diverse sectors. He paid tribute to the pioneering role of Tunisian and African businesswomen in expanding into foreign markets, scaling institutions, and boosting continental competitiveness.
Championing Women's Economic Empowerment and Regional Synergy
---------------------
The CTF7 platform was deliberately structured to address the holistic needs of growing, women-led enterprises. Beyond the vibrant exhibition space, the conference functioned as an engine for four strategic priorities:
1. Market Access and Regional Value Chains
COMFWB provided a direct pathway for women-owned enterprises—particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs)—to navigate and access broader regional markets. By exhibiting alongside peers from 21 nations, women entrepreneurs were able to demonstrate product excellence, evaluate regional demand, and identify practical avenues to integrate into emerging regional value chains.
2. Strategic B2B Partnerships and Technical Collaboration
The trade fair served as a catalyst for cross-border collaboration. Businesswomen actively engaged in targeted networking, laying the groundwork for joint ventures, supply chain partnerships, and technical co-operations. These linkages enable participating businesses to upgrade their operational standards, optimize technology transfer, and build cross-border commercial alliances.
3. Mutual Learning and Knowledge Exchange
By bringing together 130 diverse exhibitors from across North, East, and Southern Africa, CTF7 created a rich space for peer-to-peer mentorship and collective growth. Women entrepreneurs shared best practices, discussed strategies for navigating trade barriers, and learned from one another's operational successes in navigating cross-border trade.
4. Policy Alignment and Ecosystem Support
The discussions emphasized the necessity of a supportive enabling environment. Key calls to action focused on expanding targeted financing mechanisms for women-led projects, accelerating digital transformation and e-commerce adoption, fostering innovation, and streamlining trade protocols to remove barriers at cross-border points.
Driving the Future Together
Following the formal addresses, Minister Samir Obaid and the accompanying delegation visited the exhibition halls, meeting directly with women entrepreneurs and exploring the vast array of African-made products and services on display.
The success of the 7th COMFWB Trade Fair reinforces COMFWB’s position as a pillar for women’s economic advancement in Africa. By equipping women entrepreneurs with the platforms, networks, and market linkages needed to thrive, COMFWB continues to convert continental trade frameworks into real, tangible prosperity for women across the COMESA region and beyond.
