It's Day Two the Annual COMFWB Trade Fair. Learn more
Day Two of the Annual COMFWB Trade Fair.Learn more

second annual
regional trade fair
& Gala dinner

22nd - 24th September 2021

Lusaka, Zambia
New Opportunity
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REQUEST FOR TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL PROPOSAL ON DEVELOPMENT OF COMFWB 2026-2030 MEDIUM TERM STRATEGIC PLAN
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Latest News

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July 3, 2025
Celebrating the launch of COMFWB Zimbabwe's expansion in Bulawayo

On July 3rd, the COMFWB Zimbabwe launched its Bulawayo expansion with a Women's Breakfast, hosted by Chairperson Dr. Edna Mukurazhizha, marking the start of a national initiative to empower women entrepreneurs. This event provided a crucial platform for networking and knowledge-sharing, aiming to inspire women's active participation in Zimbabwe's economic development and trade. The successful Bulawayo launch underscores the power of women's entrepreneurship in driving economic change, as COMFWB Zimbabwe plans to extend this initiative across other provinces, reinforcing its commitment to a brighter future for the nation.

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June 23, 2025
COMFWB Zambia Chairperson calls on women entrepreneurs to combat early marriage and drive empowerment

Women in business across Africa are being urgently called upon to combat the alarming rates of early marriage and lack of educational access for girls, with approximately 400 million girls forced into child marriage and 250 million denied education due to financial barriers. The Zambia Federation of Associations of Women in Business (ZFAWIB), the COMFWB Zambia Chapter, recently underscored this imperative at the "Women Creating Wealth" program's graduation, a joint initiative with the Graça Machel Trust aimed at empowering women and adolescent girls. This program, championed by Siphira Chisha, focuses on equipping women with leadership and financial literacy to foster positive change and help other women, particularly young girls, achieve better lives. ZFAWIB CEO Maureen Sumbwe also encouraged women entrepreneurs to form strategic alliances and leverage the African Continental Free Trade Agreement as Zambia prioritizes policies for women's empowerment.

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June 19, 2025
Tunisia in the heart of Nairobi : a celebration of women's entrepreneurship and cross-border collaboration

The Tunisian Food & Handcrafts Expo 2025, held from June 16th to 18th in Nairobi, successfully connected Tunisian and Kenyan women entrepreneurs, fostering trade and cultural exchange. Hosted at the Radisson Blu, Arboretum, the event provided a crucial platform for Tunisian women from CNFCE and COMFWB Tunisia to showcase their products and services while networking with FOWEK (COMFWB Kenya Chapter) members. Highlights included exploring authentic Tunisian goods, live cooking demonstrations, and a dynamic B2B session that spurred new cross-border ventures. The expo reinforced the power of collaboration between FOWEK and CNFCE, celebrating culture and creating opportunities, with special recognition given to COMFWB Tunisia and its Vice Chairperson, Madam Leila Belkhiria, for her leadership in strengthening women's business networks across Africa.

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June 19, 2025
Tunisia in the heart of Nairobi : a celebration of women's entrepreneurship and cross-Border collaboration

The Tunisian Food & Handcrafts Expo 2025, held from June 16th to 18th in Nairobi, successfully connected Tunisian and Kenyan women entrepreneurs, fostering trade and cultural exchange. Hosted at the Radisson Blu, Arboretum, the event provided a crucial platform for Tunisian women from CNFCE and COMFWB Tunisia to showcase their products and services while networking with FOWEK (COMFWB Kenya Chapter) members. Highlights included exploring authentic Tunisian goods, live cooking demonstrations, and a dynamic B2B session that spurred new cross-border ventures. The expo reinforced the power of collaboration between FOWEK and CNFCE, celebrating culture and creating opportunities, with special recognition given to COMFWB Tunisia and its Vice Chairperson, Madam Leila Belkhiria, for her leadership in strengthening women's business networks across Africa

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June 3, 2025
COMFWB Officials championned Malawian Women Entrepreneurs at "Women Creating Wealth" Forum

On June 3rd, the "Women Creating Wealth" Country Forum and Certification ceremony in Lilongwe celebrated the certification of 114 Malawian women entrepreneurs who completed their transformative training with the Graça Machel Trust. The event, actively supported by COMFWB Malawi Chairperson, Selina Mwenelupembe, and COMFWB CEO, Mr. Chikakula Miti, emphasized the vital partnership between GMT and COMFWB, focusing on market access and networking. Beyond recognizing three "jumpstart" winners, the forum served as a powerful testament to the unstoppable spirit of women shaping Malawi's business future, with COMFWB officials highlighting the crucial importance of collaboration and linkages.

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May 13, 2025
Empowering african women and youth : Highlights from the 6th COMFWB Business Conference

The 6th COMFWB Trade Fair and Business Conference, held in Addis Ababa in May 2025, convened 1200 participants and over 50 expert panelists for seven business conferences and a specialized masterclass. This pivotal event facilitated knowledge exchange, networking, and growth opportunities for women and youth entrepreneurs, addressing key themes such as leveraging regional trade agreements like the AfCFTA, enhancing access to finance and digital platforms, fostering institutional synergies, and promoting sustainable investments in green and circular economies. The conference, complemented by B2B platforms and a masterclass on AfCFTA and COMESA market opportunities for women, underscored a collective commitment to advancing regional integration and the economic empowerment of women and youth across Africa.

Our results in numbers

Our results in numbers

10,000+

Jobs created

Through our programs and initiatives, COMFWB has contributed to the creation of over 10,000 jobs. These job opportunities have a meaningful impact on local economies and the livelihoods of individuals, advancing our mission of women's economic empowerment.

$50M

Investment facilitation

Over the past five years, COMFWB has successfully facilitated over $US50 million in investments for women-led businesses across the COMESA region. This substantial financial support has driven economic growth and empowerment for women entrepreneurs in our network.

50%

Membership Increase

Since our inception, we have achieved a 50% increase in membership across the various COMFWB chapters, demonstrating our growing impact and outreach within the COMESA region.

100,000+

Women-owned businesses empower

COMFWB has trained over 100,000 women, equipping them with essential business skills, cross-border trade knowledge, and other tools necessary for success. These women are now empowered to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship and cross-border commerce, contributing to economic growth and regional integration.

1,500+

Cross-border collaborations

COMFWB has facilitated 1,500 cross-border collaborations among women entrepreneurs in the COMESA region. These collaborations have led to increased trade, knowledge sharing, and economic opportunities, fostering regional integration and empowerment.

2,500+

Women Entrepreneurs Supported by Incubators

COMFWB has enabled 2,500 women entrepreneurs to access essential business support services through partnerships with business incubators. This initiative has provided women with valuable resources and guidance to enhance their business ventures and overall economic success.

About us

Who Are We

The Comesa Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) is a COMESA institution which was established in July 1993 in Zimbabwe with the endorsement of the Authority which is made up of Heads of States and Governments of the COMESA member states.

COMFWB acts as a forum for the exchange of ideas and experience among women entrepreneurs; an instrument through which the appropriate portion of COMESA Women in Development Programmes are implemented; a forum for network among women entrepreneurs and an instrument for encouraging women to set up or expand existing enterprises.”

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About us

Testimonials

Catherine Olab
Farmer
Tangakona Commercial Village, Busia - Kenya

I thank God for COMFWB for opening our minds through the training offered to us. I have benefited very much from this training. I am now able to train other groups and also other trainers on value addition for the cassava produced here in Busia.

Maureen sumbwe
Chief Executive Officer
ZFAWIB -Zambia

The hard work by the women in business in Zambia is now yielding results especially with the help coming from stakeholders like COMESA, COMFWB and ZAM.

Our Partners