Tunisia: A Platform for Launching Commercial Partnerships with COMESA Countries
Tunisia is today a platform for launching commercial partnerships with the 21 countries of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). Tunisian companies can discover these markets, establish partnerships, and develop their trade exchanges with Africa. This is the message launched by Leila Belkhiria Jaber, Vice-President of the COMFWB Board of Directors, at the opening of the 7th Regional Trade Fair and COMFWB Business Conference, held in Tunis from July 1 to 3.
Expanding Intra-African Horizons
This edition, themed "Expanding Intra-African Horizons: Digital Innovation as a Catalyst for Inclusive and Sustainable COMESA Market Access", brings together the 21 member countries of COMESA with the ambition of strengthening intra-African trade through digital innovation and women's entrepreneurship. The event gathers nearly 400 delegates, including 200 women entrepreneurs and 200 representatives of institutions, as well as 200 exhibitors. Over 200 B2B meetings are planned, with the presence of over 1,000 visitors and over 5,000 online participants.
Opportunities for Tunisian Companies
For Leila Belkhiria Jaber, this meeting is an opportunity for Tunisian companies to better know the African markets and transform exchanges into contracts. "Each company will be able to discover the opportunities offered by COMESA countries, participate in B2B meetings, and build real commercial partnerships," she said.
Sectors Represented
The sectors represented include agriculture, agri-food industry, medical services, consulting, digital transformation, green economy, blue economy, and artificial intelligence. COMESA institutions present in Tunis are also mobilized to support companies and facilitate their cooperation projects.
Parallel Meetings
In parallel with the conference, meetings were held with Tunisian authorities to identify levers that could facilitate exchanges with African countries. Discussions focus on customs procedures, transportation, financing mechanisms, payment methods, and improving the business environment.
Building African Value Chains
"We want to build African value chains so that raw materials are transformed in Africa, creating more added value and strengthening the economies of our countries," emphasized Leila Belkhiria Jaber.
Participating Countries
Companies from Rwanda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Libya, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Comoros, and Seychelles are participating in this edition. Algeria, although not a member of COMESA, is also present. Partnership agreements are expected to be concluded between participating companies, with follow-up ensured by the National Chamber of Women Business Leaders to facilitate their implementation.
Launch of the COMFWB Strategy 2026-2030
The conference also marks the launch of the COMFWB's 2026-2030 strategy, aligned with the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the COMESA strategy. According to Belkhiria, this roadmap provides for training programs, better access to financing through COMESA's partner institutions, and support for women entrepreneurs to strengthen their capacity to export to African markets.
