ADDIS ABABA – The 6th COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) Trade Fair and Business Conference concluded yesterday in Addis Ababa, spotlighting the growing role of women entrepreneurs in driving regional trade and inclusive economic development across Africa.
Held under the theme : “Advancing Women’s Economic Participation”, the four-day event brought together delegates from across the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), uniting policymakers, investors, and women business leaders to explore trade opportunities, share best practices, and strengthen cross-border partnerships.
The opening ceremony was attended by high-profile figures, including Tagesse Chafo, Speaker of Ethiopia’s House of People’s Representatives, COMESA Secretary-General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, and COMFWB Chairperson Maureen Sumbwe. Each emphasized the transformative power of women-led businesses in fostering sustainable economic growth and regional unity.
“Empowering women through trade is not just a moral imperative—it is an economic necessity,” Speaker Tagesse noted in his remarks. “This event highlights our collective commitment to creating inclusive markets where women and youth thrive.”
The fair featured a diverse exhibition of products and services from sectors such as agriculture, textiles, manufacturing, technology, and the creative industries. It also hosted panel discussions on crucial issues including access to finance, navigating regional trade frameworks, digital entrepreneurship, and scaling businesses through innovation.
As a founding member of COMESA and an early signatory to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Ethiopia showcased its commitment to regional economic integration. Speaker Tagesse highlighted the country’s recent economic reforms, including the liberalization of key sectors like telecommunications and banking, and the shift to a market-driven exchange rate system. These efforts, he said, are designed to unlock new opportunities for women entrepreneurs to compete regionally and globally.
The event also underscored the importance of gender-responsive policies in trade and investment. Participants called on member states to remove barriers that disproportionately affect women and to build enabling ecosystems that promote equal access to finance, markets, and digital tools.
COMESA Secretary-General Chileshe praised the fair as a platform that not only empowers women economically but also strengthens ties among member countries. “Regional integration cannot be achieved without the active participation of women. This trade fair is a testament to our resolve to leave no one behind,” she said.
The success of the 6th COMFWB Trade Fair signals growing momentum in Africa’s drive to harness the economic potential of women as key agents of development. Organizers have vowed to build on this year’s achievements to further enhance regional collaboration and expand women’s footprint in cross-border commerce.
BY NAOL GIRMA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 10 MAY 2025
