Mauritius Celebrates Regional Excellence in Women’s Entrepreneurship
Mauritius has once again demonstrated its excellence on the regional stage by achieving remarkable success at the 7th COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) Trade Fair and Meeting held from 1 to 3 July 2026 in Tunisia. The Mauritian delegation proudly secured the 1st Prize for Female Entrepreneur of the Year and to the 3rd Prize for Best Exhibition Booth, reinforcing the country’s growing reputation as a leader in women’s entrepreneurship across the COMESA region.
These prestigious awards reflect the innovation, resilience, and determination of Mauritian women entrepreneurs, whose outstanding achievements continue to inspire and strengthen the nation’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Outstanding Leadership Driving Success
Special recognition is extended to Mrs. Rehema Koylash, Chairperson of COMFWB Mauritius and Chairperson of the National Women Entrepreneur Council (NWEC), for her exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing women’s entrepreneurship.
Through meticulous planning, strategic coordination, intensive preparation, and continuous support for women entrepreneurs, Mrs.R. Fatuma Koylash has played a pivotal role in positioning Mauritius as a leading force within the COMESA business community. Her dedication has created opportunities for Mauritian entrepreneurs to showcase their products, services, and innovations on an international platform.
Celebrating the COMFWB Woman Entrepreneur of the Year
A defining moment of the event was the recognition of Dr. Deepika Panchoo Yashasvinee Harwani, a registered woman entrepreneur of the National Women Entrepreneur Council (NWEC) and an active member of the COMFWB Mauritius Chapter, was honoured with the prestigious COMFWB Woman Entrepreneur Award during 7th COMFWB Trade Fair and Meeting in Tunisia.
Dr. Harwani is a visionary Mauritian entrepreneur who is transforming the education and technology sectors. As the Founder of Confederation of International Talents Ltd (CIT), she has pioneered an innovative 100% tuition scholarship model that enables students to access UK-accredited qualifications regardless of their financial circumstances.
Beyond her entrepreneurial achievements, Dr. Harwani is deeply committed to social impact. Dr Harwani also act as resource person and mentor at the National Women Entrepreneur Council, she actively mentors women entrepreneurs by equipping them with essential digital literacy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills, empowering them to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
Her recognition as COMFWB Woman Entrepreneur of the Year highlights the powerful combination of innovation, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility, demonstrating that business success can create lasting positive change for communities.
As Dr. Harwani was unable to receive the award in person, the trophy was accepted on her behalf by Mrs. R. Fatuma Koylash, Chairperson of COMFWB Mauritius. The award was presented by Madam Leila Belkhiria Jaber, Vice-President of COMFWB and President of COMFWB Tunisia, together with Mr. Chikakula Miti, Chief Executive Officer of COMFWB.
A Collective Achievement for Mauritius
The awards received during the 7th COMFWB Trade Fair and Meeting represent far more than individual accomplishments. They stand as a testament to the collective efforts of Mauritian women entrepreneurs, government institutions, partners, and stakeholders who worked tirelessly to showcase the country’s entrepreneurial talent, creativity, and commitment to excellence.
Mauritius’ success at 7th COMFWB Trade Fair and Meeting further strengthens its position as a regional champion of women-led enterprise and innovation, while reaffirming the country’s commitment to empowering women, fostering inclusive economic growth, and promoting entrepreneurship as a catalyst for sustainable development.
The achievements celebrated at this year’s COMFWB Trade Fair and Meeting serve as an inspiration for future generations of Mauritian women entrepreneurs and reinforce the nation’s dedication to building a dynamic, innovative, and globally competitive entrepreneurial community.
