FORTUNE+ VIDEO SPONSORED CONTENTS ADVERTORIALS FORTUNE AUDIO Fortune Careers TRADE AFRICA Election 2026 New TIME REMAINING UNTIL ETHIOPIA’S NATIONAL ELECTION 0Days 0Hours 0Minutes 0Seconds




COMFWB Trade Fair to Spotlight Gender-Inclusive Investment

May 3 , 2025


[ssba-buttons]

The 6th COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) Regional Trade Fair, Business Conference, and Gala Dinner will be held from May 7–9, 2025, in Addis Abeba, as part of COMESA Week. Organised by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and COMFWB, the event is themed “A Thriving COMESA Advancing Gender-Responsive Regional Integration for Unlocking Green Investments, Value Chains, Tourism and Mining in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).” The event plans to support regional economic integration and implementation of the AfCFTA, while creating a platform for businesses to enhance brand visibility, connect with potential partners and customers, and explore market opportunities across the region. Participants will engage with policymakers, industry experts, and key stakeholders to explore innovative trade practices and gain insights into regional and continental market trends. A core focus will be placed on empowering women entrepreneurs, featuring financial grants, support programmes, and success stories of women-led businesses. Expert speakers will provide practical guidance to help women-owned enterprises scale and compete globally. The three-day programme will conclude with a gala dinner celebrating efforts to advance gender-inclusive trade and investment throughout the COMESA region.


Radar

Coffee Export Platform Links Ethiopian Roasters with Overseas Consumers

Ethiopian coffee roasters have gained a direct route to international consumers through a multi-brand e-commerce export platform launched by DHL Express Ethiopia and EXM Global PLC. The companies say it is the first platform of its kind in Ethiopia. Bringing together 10 Ethiopian coffee brands in a single digital marketplace, the platform enables overseas customers to order freshly roasted coffee in quantities ranging from speciality retail purchases to larger commercial volumes. DHL Express...


Radar

Addis Abeba Clears 59Km of Rivers, Remains Short of Halfway

Addis Abeba has completed 59Km of river cleanup and development work, although total coverage has yet to reach 50pc. Mayor Adanech Abebe said the 59Km stretch was transformed in one and a half years as she presented a comprehensive review of the city's strategic plan from 2022 to 2026. Mayor Abebe described the progress as a major "breakthrough", saying the work relied entirely on the city's funding, engineers, architects and workers. By comparison, she said, a world-renowned foreign contract...


Radar

Kisse Platform Brings Collateral-Free Microloans Through Agent Network

Mefithe Microfinance S.C., MZ Tech, and Arifpay Financial Technologies S.C. have launched “Kisse”, an agent-powered digital microloan platform designed to expand access to finance for micro and small enterprises. Through trained local agents, borrowers can apply for collateral-free, short-term business loans. Once approved, the funds are transferred to mobile wallets or bank accounts through Arifpay's payment gateway. The partners said loans can be disbursed within hours. Under the par...