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COMFWB Trade Fair to Spotlight Gender-Inclusive Investment

May 3 , 2025

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.

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Amendment Expands Access for Foreign Traders

Foreign participation in Ethiopia's wholesale, retail, import, and export trade sectors has come under renewed focus as the Ethiopian Investment Board(EIB) approved a significant amendment to Directive No. 1001/2016  in its meeting on May 23, 2025. The amendment, proposed by the Ethiopian Investment Commission(EIC), focuses on refining the legal framework governing foreign investment in these sectors. The decision is part of a broader strategy to enhance the country's appeal as an investment...

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NBE Sets Four Percent Ceiling on Foreign Exchange Fees

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) issued a new foreign exchange market directive on May 20, 2025, that caps commercial banks' forex service fees at a maximum of four percent. Banks are instructed to adapt competitive, transparent, and streamlined pricing for all forex-related services. Effective May 26, 2025, total charges for purchasing foreign exchange whether for imports, service payments, or cash note purchases must not exceed the newly set limit. The directive also prohibits banks f...

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SantimPay Launches Zero-fee Digital Remittance Platform

SantimPay has rolled out FrankRemit, first fully integrated, zero-fee digital remittance platform, in partnership with Bank of Abyssinia(BOA). The service smoothly connects all commercial banks and major mobile money providers, including Telebirr, M-Pesa, and CBE Birr which is a first of its kind in the country. FrankRemit is expected to revolutionise how the Ethiopian diaspora sends money home. Developed locally and tested over the past two weeks with successful transfers from multiple count...

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