Tunis, April 21, 2026 – The Tunisian capital is gearing up to become the epicenter of African female economic leadership at the 7th edition of the Commercial Trade Fair and Business Conference of women entrepreneurs from the COMESA region (CTF7) in early July. Organized by the National Chamber of Women Business Leaders (CNFCE) and the COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB), the event will take place from July 1st to 3rd, 2026 at the UTICA headquarters.
Officially launched at a press conference in Tunis on April 2nd, this continental meeting brought together key figures in the ecosystem, including Maureen Sumbwe, president of COMFWB, Chikakula Miti, CEO of the federation, and Leila Belkhiria Jaber, vice-president of COMFWB and president of CNFCE. All converged towards a common goal: to make CTF7 an operational lever for economic integration and empowerment of women entrepreneurs across the continent.
Under the theme “One Market, One Future: digital transformation to pave the way towards the AfCFTA”, this edition highlights the structuring role of digital technology in accelerating the African Continental Free Trade Area. In a context of value chain restructuring and the rise of intra-African trade, digital transformation appears as a determining factor to remove barriers to market access.
With more than 500 expected delegates from 21 member countries of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, CTF7 confirms its status as a strategic platform for the development of African women’s business. The event aims to catalyze commercial exchanges, stimulate investments, and foster strategic partnerships between public and private actors.
At the heart of the discussions, several key issues will be addressed, including financial inclusion of women entrepreneurs, sustainable development of COMESA markets, technological solutions facilitating intra-African trade, as well as the role of innovation in SME competitiveness. These themes are part of a broader dynamic of consolidating an integrated and resilient African market.
The CTF7 program promises to be dense and results-oriented, structured around high-level conferences, targeted B2B sessions, sectoral exhibitions showcasing women-led businesses, as well as practical workshops and masterclasses dedicated to capacity building. An architecture designed to maximize business opportunities and accelerate market access.
By hosting this event, Tunisia confirms its position as a regional hub for economic dialogue and African cooperation. Through this initiative, CNFCE reaffirms its commitment to the economic empowerment of women and their active integration into the continent’s commercial dynamics.
Established in 1993 within the framework of COMESA, the COMFWB plays a structuring role in promoting women’s participation in trade and economic development. Through its 21 national sections, it works to facilitate exchanges, strengthen business competitiveness, and consolidate business networks.
After editions held in Malawi, Ethiopia, Zambia, Uganda, Egypt, and Madagascar, the CTF continues its continental anchoring. The 2026 edition is thus a pivotal moment to accelerate women’s participation in intra-African trade and contribute to the emergence of a more inclusive, connected, and future-oriented African market.
