Ethiopia to Host 6th COMESA Federation of Women in Business Trade Fair, Business Conference

Addis Ababa, March 5,2025 (ENA) --- Ethiopia to host the 6th COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) Trade Fair and Business Conference in Addis Ababa from May 5-9, 2025, to empower women entrepreneurs in member countries.

The event aims to empower women entrepreneurs across the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region.

The upcoming event, themed "A Thriving COMESA through Gender-Responsive Regional Integration: Unlocking Opportunities in Green Investments, Value Chains, Tourism, and Mining," will be held in collaboration with COMESA and the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration of Ethiopia.

The event marks a significant milestone in empowering women in business across the 21 COMESA member states.

During a joint media briefing, Yasmin Wohabrebbi, State Minister of Trade and Regional Integration stated that the Trade Fair and Business Conference will include bilateral business discussions, creating a platform for establishing business-to-business ties.

She emphasized that this regional event will play a significant role in enhancing the capacity of women entrepreneurs and youth to unlock regional trade opportunities.

The state minister further noted that the Trade Fair and Business Conference, with its focus on green and sustainable development, will provide a platform for exchanging experiences in agri-business, textiles, tourism, patent rights, digital marketing, and financial access.

COMFWB Chairperson Maureen Sumbawe stated, "We know that Ethiopia has many women engaged in various business activities. We look forward to our members from other countries learning from colleagues here in Ethiopia."

 

She emphasized that the event is an important opportunity for women entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their products to international and national buyers.

"We expect to have 500 women participating in the sixth trade fair, showcasing their products and services and participating in B2B platforms and business conferences," Sumbawe added.

 She also emphasized that the event also provides an occasion to create business linkages and develop women's networks internationally, enabling African women in business to connect, exchange experiences and knowledge, and collaborate on business ventures.

 The COMFWB Trade Fair, the largest gathering of women and youth entrepreneurs in Africa, showcases the dynamism of youth and women-led businesses. It strengthens economic ties among member nations by providing a platform for networking, business-to-business (B2B) interactions, knowledge sharing, business talks, round table discussions, business pitching, and matchmaking.

 

Women and youth entrepreneurship are vital for innovation and social prosperity. However, women in the COMESA region face significant obstacles, including limited access to finance, markets, and socio-cultural barriers.

Recognizing that sustainable regional economic integration hinges on their full participation, the 21 COMESA member states established the COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) in 1993 to integrate women into trade and development.

The fair engages women's business associations across the COMESA region and Africa, and expects to attract 500 participants, including 300 women entrepreneurs, 100 government officials, and 100 partners.