Addis Ababa to host 6th COMESA Federation of Women in Business Trade Fair & Business Conference in May

Addis-Ababa, March 5, 2025 (FMC) — Addis Ababa is set to become the epicenter of women’s entrepreneurship in the COMESA region as it is gearing up to host the 6th COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) Trade Fair and Business Conference from 5th to 9th May, 2025 during the COMESA week in Ethiopia.

The event will be held under the theme “A Thriving COMESA Through Gender-Responsive Regional Integration: Unlocking Opportunities in Green Investments, Value Chains, Tourism and Mining.”

Regarding the upcoming event, Ethiopia’s State Minister for Trade and Regional Integration Ms. Yasmin Wohabrebbi and Ms. Maureen Sumbwee, Chairperson of the General Assembly of COMFWB briefed the media this afternoon in Addis Ababa.

On the occasion, it was indicated that this prestigious event, to be organized in collaboration with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration of Ethiopia (MoTRI), marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to empower women in business across the 21 COMESA member states.

While women’s and youth entrepreneurship is widely acknowledged as a driver of innovation and social prosperity, women often encounter magnified challenges, including limited access to finance and markets and pervasive socio-cultural barriers, the officials pointed out.

To address challenges faced by youth and women and cognizant that sustainable regional economic integration hinges on the full participation of women and youth.

The Heads of States and Governments of the 21 Member states established COMFWB in 1993, to integrate women into trade and development activities within the COMESA region, it was mentioned.

During the precursor media briefing, it was indicated that the COMFWB Trade Fair stands as the largest gathering of women and youth entrepreneurs on the African continent and aims to showcase the dynamism of youth and women-led businesses, strengthen economic ties between member nations by providing a platform for networking, business-to-business (B2B) interactions, and knowledge sharing, insightful business talks, round table discussions, Business Pitching and Match Making.

Furthermore, the COMFWB Trade Fair and Business Conference is offering the following opportunities:

• Broad Participation: Engage Women Business Associations from across the COMESA region and the continent
• Extensive Attendance: Attract 500 participants, including 300 women entrepreneurs, 100 government officials, and 100 partners.

• Comprehensive Exhibition: Feature 300 exhibitors, with 10 representatives from each COMESA member state and 100 frorn the host country.
• Robust B2B Platform: Facilitate 200 B2B meetings, fostering new business partnerships.
• Business Conference: Host 400 attendees at the business conference, including 200 businesswomen, 100 partners, and 100 representatives from media, research institutions, and women’s business organizations (WBOs).
• Strong Partner Engagement: Secure the participation of 100 local and international partners.
• Significant Visitor Turnout: Welcome 1,000 physical visitors and 5,000 virtual attendees.

A key.focus of the 6th Trade Fair will be exploring market offering in the COMESA, SADC and EAC Free Trade Area, a transforrnative initiative that offers a continental market of Over 600 Million people with a combined GDP of $ 260 Billion.

The event will empower women and youth entrepreneurs to capitalize on the opportunities presented by Free Trade Area, enhancing their skills and expanding their market access. Furthermore, opportunities in agribusiness, textiles, tourisrn, cutting-edge technologies, intellectual services, digital commerce, and financial services, with a particular emphasis on green investments and sustainable development will be show cased.

The Climax of these activities will be the celebratory closing gala evening to recognize creativity, talent, and innovative achievements.