News

In late September 2025, the COMFWB Eswatini Chapter held three consecutive days of high-impact events focused on empowering entrepreneurs and strengthening its governance. The week began with a Breakfast Meeting on September 24th under the theme: “Unlocking Opportunities: Strengthening Partnerships for Women, Youth & Disability-Led Enterprises.” This successful event connected entrepreneurs with financial institutions and development partners, fostering dialogue, sharing funding models, and securing commitments to collaborative follow-up actions to promote inclusive business growth. Immediately following, the Chapter's Executive Board held a 2-Day Governance & Leadership Workshop (September 25–26). Held at Happy Valley, Ezulwini, the intensive workshop successfully sharpened governance skills, strengthened leadership efficacy, and renewed the Board's commitment to building a more effective chapter. The sessions were facilitated by the COMFWB Board Chairperson with strategic input from the COMFWB CEO. The strategic week concluded with the Chapter strategically poised and energized to translate these strengthened partnerships and improved leadership into measurable economic opportunities across Eswatini.

COMFWB's participation at #IATF2025 was more than just a presence; it was a powerful statement on the necessity of including women in Africa’s economic future. The fair provided an incredible platform to showcase our commitment to women's economic empowerment and inclusivity, aligning with the goals of the #AfCFTA. We had the chance to connect with thousands of visitors and exhibitors from over 140 countries, raising brand awareness and affirming our leadership in the region. Our time at #IATF2025 allowed us to build new partnerships, strengthen existing collaborations, and open up new business opportunities for the women we represent. This was a direct investment in the future of women-led businesses across the continent, helping them thrive in a new era of intra-African trade.

The Ethiopian Women Traders Association (EWTA) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) are joining forces to provide critical technical support to women-owned businesses in Ethiopia. Following a productive meeting between EWTA President Ms. Bereket and UNCTAD Chief Ms. Daine Sayinzoga, a new partnership will focus on enhancing skills and competitiveness in key areas, including : E-commerce Training: Equipping women with the tools to expand their market reach ; market information access : connecting businesses with potential buyers across Africa ; export diversification: assisting with strategies to enter new markets. This collaboration is a significant step toward fostering sustainable economic growth and empowering women to thrive in the global marketplace.

COMFWB-Zim partnered with the Zim-UK Business Chamber for a successful Trade INDABA.This event brought together business leaders and investors to boost trade and investment between Zimbabwe and the UK. A great showcase of what partnership can achieve!

A visit by the COMFWB Secretariat to the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) led to a discussion about a new strategic partnership. This collaboration aims to support women and youth entrepreneurs by focusing on key areas such as training, research, value addition, and market access. The ultimate goal of this engagement is to unlock industrial potential and create sustainable economic opportunities for people across the region.

High-level meeting with stakeholders in Zambia to present findings from the Kasumbalesa Gender Assessment Study. The assessment highlighted gender disparities impacting women traders at the border and will inform new policies