COMESA Secretary General in Seychelles: Talks to empower African youth and women
Ahmed Salem
Chileshe Mpondo Kapwepwe, Secretary General of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), held strategic discussions today with key government stakeholders during her official visit to Seychelles to launch the “Creating Opportunities for Youth and Women in Africa” (COYWA) program. The discussions included meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs of Seychelles.
The discussions reaffirmed the importance of cooperation in enhancing opportunities for young people and women through skills development, entrepreneurship, job creation, and achieving inclusive economic participation.
The COYWA program is an important step towards empowering young people and women in Africa by connecting them with available opportunities, building their capacities, and supporting their effective contribution to achieving sustainable development.
Through partnerships with member states and stakeholders, COMESA continues to support initiatives that transform regional integration into tangible opportunities that benefit communities.
COMESA participates in Africa Forward Summit
Earlier, the Common Market for East and South Africa participated AfricaCOMESA, along with some of its affiliated institutions, participated in the “Africa Forward” summit held in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, from May 11 to 12, 2026. The COMESA Secretariat was represented by Ambassador Dr. Mohamed Qadah, Assistant Secretary-General for Programs.
COMESA actively participated in the summit, which was co-hosted by COMESA Chairman William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron.
As a representative of the regional bloc, Ambassador Dr. Mohamed Qadah participated in high-level discussion sessions aimed at promoting regional integration and economic transformation across Africa.
The summit will discuss strengthening economic integration and expanding investments.
The summit brought together heads of state and government, representatives of the African Union, the United Nations, international and regional organizations, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, investors, the private sector, civil society, youth, and other stakeholders.
The summit focused heavily on building a financial framework capable of achieving self-sufficiency.
Two prominent COMESA institutions, the Trade and Development Bank and the African Trade and Investment Guarantee Corporation, were at the forefront of the discussions.
The two institutions are expected to play a pivotal role in the newly proposed new financial and development architecture for Africa.
In a strong vote reflecting confidence in the African financial architecture, France announced its intention to invest in the capital of the ATIDI Foundation, with the aim of supporting the reduction of risks related to strategic public and private investments across the continent.
