The Comesa Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB)

On Friday, March 21st, 2025, in the city of Sodo, Waleta, a momentous occasion unfolded. Mrs #Bereket_Worku_Adera (#Beki_Farmer), Chairperson of #COMFWB_Ethiopia and President of the #EWEA, Ethiopian Woman’s Trade Association was honored at a prestigious Agriculture Enterprise Award! This recognition, presented by the South Regional Administration at their annual Enterprise Awards Ceremony, celebrated Mrs #Bereket’s contributions and dedication to the agricultural sector

The #6th_COMFWB_Trade_Fair and #Business_Conference is designed to be a catalyst for economic empowerment, providing a platform for networking, B2B interactions, and knowledge sharing. According to COMFWB Board Chairperson, Ms #Maureen_Sumbwe during her speech at a Public awareness meeting at Hyatt Regency of Addis-Ababa, the event will enable participants to expand their market reach and enhance business skills. Crucial elements include business talks, panel discussions to address industry challenges, and pitching and matchmaking sessions to connect entrepreneurs with investors, thereby fostering inclusive and sustainable business development for women and youth. The public awareness event in Ethiopia highlighted the Trade Fair's potential to create opportunities and promote trade within the #COMESA_Region. The event, part of the broader #COMESA_Week, aims to build public support and participation. Chairperson #Maureen_Sumbwe expressed gratitude to COMESA Secretariat and the Federal Government of Ethiopia for their collaboration and support in organizing the regional economic event, emphasizing the importance of shared vision and collaborative efforts for its success.

𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 #𝟔𝐭𝐡_𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐅𝐖𝐁_𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞_𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫_𝐚𝐧𝐝_𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬_𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰 Ethiopia Women Entrepreneurs Association or 𝐄𝐖𝐄𝐀_𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐌𝐬. #𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐭_𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐮, 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥. Initiatives are being launched to provide access to financial assistance, skills development, and knowledge exchange platforms, addressing obstacles faced by women seeking professional advancement. She highlighted #EWEAs_role in promoting Ethiopian products and showcasing the Nation's image. Acknowledging past shortcomings, #EWEA is undergoing comprehensive reforms to its structure, operations, and leadership. These changes aim to enhance the presentation of women-owned businesses both domestically and internationally. A 30-day plan is underway to secure the participation of 100 women entrepreneurs in the upcoming #6th_COMFWB_Trade_Fair_and_Business_Conference, underscoring #EWEA's dedication to empowering women through multifaceted support and driving positive change.

𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐅𝐖𝐁 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐲𝐚𝐭𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐬-𝐀𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐚, 𝐇.𝐄 𝐌𝐫𝐬 #Yasmine_Wuharebi, 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄thiopian 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 #𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲_𝐨𝐟_𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞_𝐚𝐧𝐝_𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥_𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 (𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐀) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐀 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 #𝟔𝐭𝐡_COMFWB_𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞_𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫_𝐚𝐧𝐝_ 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬_𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. She also confirmed that the ministry will continue supporting this event technically and by mobilizing Ethiopian Women to take advantage of the Trade Fair and announced that the Ethiopian Women in Business Association has been recently formulated and will play critical role as the Chapter for the #COMFWB in organizing the planned #6th_COMFWB_Trade_Fair from May 7-9/2025 during the #COMESA_Week. Her Excellency thanked The Comesa Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) #General_Assemby for endorsing Ethiopia the host the #6th_COMFWB_Trade_Fair, the Board Chair #Maureen_Sumbwe for her active leadership and support as well as the COMFWB CEO #Chikakula_Miti and the Resource mobilisation Officer #Simret_Girma for navigating the advance preparation operational matters. She looks forward to meaningful outcomes to support The Comesa Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB)Trade Fair and Business Conference.

Célébration de la Journée Internationale des Droits des femmes ------------ Le Burundi a célébré la Journée internationale des droits des femmes sous le haut patronage du Président de la République S.E. Evariste Ndayishimiye, en mettant l'accent sur le rôle crucial des femmes dans le développement du pays. L'événement a rassemblé divers acteurs, dont l'#AFAB ou le #COMFWB_Burundi qui a été honorée pour son engagement en faveur des droits des femmes. Les discours prononcés lors de la cérémonie ont souligné l'importance de soutenir les femmes pour réaliser la vision de développement du Burundi à l'horizon 2040-2060, et ont appelé à une action collective pour promouvoir l'autonomisation des femmes. ------------ International Women's day celebration in BURUNDI ------------- Burundi celebrated International Women's Day under the patronage of the Republic H.E. Evariste Ndayishimiye, with #AFAB or #COMFWB_ Burundi_ Chapter participating at the national level, where they received recognition for their dedication to women's rights. The event's theme : "Women, pillar of development : Let’s support them to achieve the 2040-2060 vision of our country" highlighted the importance of empowering women and promoting their rights through speeches by key officials, including the President of the Republic.

International women's day celebration in Libya ------------------------- Let's celebrate the continued spirit of International Women's Day this March! In Libya, the WIB / #WomenInBusiness or the national #COMFWB_Chapter led by Ms #Ibtissam_Ben_Amer, magnificently commemorated this special occasion with a vibrant Iftar hosted by the #Dutch_Embassy and the esteemed #Ambassador_of_Libya, during the holy month of Ramadan! This wonderful gathering united powerful women from diverse #government_sectors, #COMFWB, and #WIB, fostering invaluable connections and sparking truly fruitful and fascinating discussions, including a remarkable meeting with the UN's new representative to Libya ! An inspiring display of collaboration and empowerment!

Recruitment of a DIRECTOR- PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT ------------- COMFWB is implementing its 2021-2025 Medium Term Strategic Plan (MTSP) which aims to achieve the following strategic goals : to strengthen the institutional Capacity to strengthen the resource mobilization capacity, to strengthen development programs for Women in Business ; and to enhance the advocacy, public Image, and branding of COMFWB. In order to actualize the set-out development objectives, COMFWB intends to recruit its Director, Programme Management and hereby requests applications for the position from suitable candidates, from COMESA Member States. For detailed information : https://lnkd.in/eDEkj_xB MODE OF APPLICATION --------------------- Applications MUST be submitted to the COMESA Coordinating Ministry of the respective member States on the prescribed COMESA APPLICATION FORM which can be accessed at the following COMESA website : https://lnkd.in/eemXTzYV Applications submitted directly to the Secretariat will not be considered and only short-listed candidates will be contacted. FINAL DATE FOR RECEIVING APPLICATIONS FROM COORDINATING MINISTRIES BY COMESA SECRETARIAT ------------------------- SHORT-LISTED CANDIDATES by the COORDINATING MINISTRIES should reach the address below by 10th April 2025 at least by 18.00 hours Lusaka time : The Director of Human Resources and Administration Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa COMESA Centre, Ben Bella Road, P.O Box 30051, Lusaka-Zambia Email : recruitment@comesa.int

#InternationalWomensDaycelebration in #DRC - Democratic Republic of Congo ------------ On #International_Women's_Day, last 08th March 2025, the Ministry of Gender, Family, and Children in the #Democratic_Republic_of_Congo, held an ecumenical service to show solidarity with Congolese women. The event focused on the challenges women face and highlighted their resilience and crucial role in rebuilding the Nation. The #CNFE or #COMFWB_Congo, represented by its two vice-presidents, shared a message from its President Ms Chairperson #Esperance_Belau 𝕖𝕞𝕡𝕙𝕒𝕤𝕚𝕫𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕨𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕟'𝕤 𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕖𝕟𝕘𝕥𝕙 𝕒𝕤 𝕓𝕦𝕚𝕝𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕤, 𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕤, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕤. 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕞𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕒𝕘𝕖 𝕦𝕣𝕘𝕖𝕕 𝕨𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕟 𝕥𝕠 𝕕𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕞 𝕓𝕚𝕘, 𝕗𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕚𝕣 𝕘𝕠𝕒𝕝𝕤, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕡𝕠𝕤𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕝𝕪 𝕚𝕞𝕡𝕒𝕔𝕥 𝕗𝕦𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕖 𝕘𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤. 𝕀𝕥 𝕒𝕝𝕤𝕠 𝕔𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕕 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕣𝕖𝕗𝕝𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕠𝕟 𝕨𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕟'𝕤 𝕣𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕖𝕩𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕖𝕕 𝕤𝕦𝕡𝕡𝕠𝕣𝕥 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕟 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔼𝕒𝕤𝕥, 𝕖𝕞𝕡𝕙𝕒𝕤𝕚𝕫𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠𝕘𝕖𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣, 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕪 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖. ------------------ Célébration de la Journée internationale des droits des femmes en RDC - République Démocratique de Congo ---------------- Pour la #Journéeinternationaledesdroitsdesfemmes, le ministère du Genre, de la Famille et de l'Enfance de la RDC a organisé un service œcuménique en solidarité avec les femmes congolaises soulignant leur résilience et leur rôle dans la reconstruction de la Nation. La Présidente de la CNFE ou Commission Nationale des Femmes Entrepreneures, ou #COMFWB_Congo Mme #Espérance_Belau a délivré un message à cette occasion, 𝕚𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕤𝕦𝕣 𝕝𝕒 𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕔𝕖 𝕕𝕖𝕤 𝕗𝕖𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕤 𝕖𝕟 𝕥𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕢𝕦𝕖 𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕤 𝕖𝕥 𝕓𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕤𝕤𝕖𝕦𝕤𝕖𝕤, 𝕝𝕖𝕤 𝕖𝕟𝕔𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕒𝕘𝕖𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕒 𝕡𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕤𝕦𝕚𝕧𝕣𝕖 𝕝𝕖𝕦𝕣𝕤 𝕠𝕓𝕛𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕗𝕤 𝕖𝕥 𝕒 𝕚𝕞𝕡𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕡𝕠𝕤𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕝'𝕒𝕧𝕖𝕟𝕚𝕣, 𝕥𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕖𝕟 𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕖𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕒 𝕝𝕒 𝕣𝕖𝕗𝕝𝕖𝕩𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕤𝕦𝕣 𝕝𝕖𝕤 𝕕𝕣𝕠𝕚𝕥𝕤 𝕕𝕖𝕤 𝕗𝕖𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕤 𝕖𝕥 𝕖𝕟 𝕖𝕩𝕡𝕣𝕚𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕤𝕠𝕟 𝕤𝕠𝕦𝕥𝕚𝕖𝕟 𝕒 𝕔𝕖𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕤 𝕕𝕖 𝕝'𝔼𝕤𝕥.

The vibrant city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is set to become the epicenter of women's entrepreneurship in the COMESA Region as it proudly hosts the 6th COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) Trade Fair and Business Conference from 7th to 9th May, 2025 during the COMESA week in Ethiopia under the theme "A Thriving COMESA which advances Gender Responsive Regional Integration for Unlocking Green Investments, Value Chains, Tourism and Mining in the AfCFTA’’ This prestigious event, organized in collaboration with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration of Federal Republic of Ethiopia, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to empower women in business across the 21 COMESA Member States.

GET READY TO BE AMAZED! Mark your calendars! The COMFWB Trade Fairs are bringing a whirlwind of innovation and opportunity! Prepare to witness groundbreaking products and services, and unlock the incredible potential of #COMESA_Region! But that's not all! These fairs are a powerhouse of knowledge and experience-sharing, especially for the incredible women in business! We're diving deep into the challenges and opportunities of Regional trade, empowering micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs to thrive! After electrifying events in Lilongwe, Lusaka, Kampala, Cairo, and Antananarivo, we're bringing the excitement to ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA! Join us for the spectacular 6th COMFWB Trade Fair, from May 7th to 9th, 2025! You won't want to miss this!