Tunis: Access to African funding for Tunisian women entrepreneurs is being hindered by the scarcity of "bankable" projects, according to President of the National Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs Leila Belkhiria Jabeur. According to Agence Tunis Afrique Presse, while funding opportunities are available across Africa, they remain underutilized by Tunisian women entrepreneurs. The main challenge is not the availability of funds but rather the access to financial information and the capability to develop projects that meet the criteria of African markets, as Belkhiria explained in an interview. Tunisia's involvement with The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) presents tangible opportunities. The organization allocates funding for capacity building, training, and participation in international fairs, conditional on meeting specific criteria. Belkhiria also highlighted the participation of various banks and financial institutions in the upcoming 7th COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMF WB) Trade Fair and Business Conference, scheduled for July 1-3, 2026, in Tunis. As Tunisia prepares for this significant event, Belkhiria urges female entrepreneurs to enhance their skills in developing and presenting viable projects. Key sectors such as agribusiness, packaging, and medical services are poised to tap into African markets. The seventh edition of the trade fair aims to boost trade and investment among COMESA member states, support female entrepreneurship, accelerate digital transformation, and facilitate integration into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The theme, "Expanding Intra-African Horizons: Digital Innovation as a Catalyst for Inclusive and Sustainable COMESA Market Access," underscores the focus on digital innovation as a driver for market access. Over 500 African women entrepreneurs are anticipated to attend.