FEMI OWOEYE
More than 150 exhibitors and global automotive brands will converge on the Abidjan Exhibition Centre, Côte d’Ivoire, from November 26 to 28, 2026, as the maiden edition of EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire opens with a mission to accelerate regional trade, attract investment and forge cross-border partnerships across West Africa’s automotive industry.
The announcement was made at a press conference in Lagos by Mr. Luc Azilinon, President of Interlinks Auto and MIWA AFRICA SARL, during an event hosted by Mr. Akin Akinbola, Managing Director/CEO of Promosalons Nigeria, Cameroon and Gabon, the organisers’ representative for Nigeria and Cameroon.
A partnership between EQUIP AUTO Paris and MIWA AFRICA SARL, the event marks the renowned automotive exhibition’s expansion into sub-Saharan Africa and is expected to welcome about 10,000 industry professionals, business visitors and members of the public over three days.
Azilinon said the exhibition will feature a rich programme of trade exhibitions, conferences, thematic workshops, B2B and B2C meetings, live demonstrations and vehicle test drives, creating a comprehensive platform for business networking and innovation.
Designed to reflect the realities of the West African market, the exhibition will cover passenger vehicles, light and heavy commercial vehicles, transport, aftermarket services, agriculture, public works and infrastructure.
Exhibitors are expected from Germany, France, Türkiye, Italy, Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroon, India, China, South Korea and Japan, highlighting the show’s growing international appeal.
“Our ambition is to establish EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire as the leading business platform for the automotive and mobility industry in West Africa,” Azilinon said. “With its innovative B2B2C format, the event will become the region’s key meeting point for innovation, investment and business development.”
According to him, the exhibition will provide manufacturers, distributors, repairers, fleet operators and government stakeholders with direct access to new technologies and market opportunities while stimulating regional trade, strengthening cross-border partnerships and supporting the modernisation of distribution networks and professional practices.
He added that the event will also make it easier for international companies to establish operations in West Africa by providing a strategic gateway into the region’s fast-growing automotive market.
Explaining why Côte d’Ivoire was selected to host the inaugural edition, Azilinon cited the country’s political stability, favourable investment climate, modern infrastructure and strategic position within the ECOWAS sub-region.
He noted that Côte d’Ivoire has consolidated institutional stability following the 2025 elections, remains one of West Africa’s strongest-performing economies, and has recorded significant investments in transport, construction and energy infrastructure.
The country is also home to the Port of Abidjan, one of West Africa’s leading maritime gateways, while its commercial capital serves as a major logistics hub for the region.
Azilinon further disclosed that Côte d’Ivoire recorded 6.5 per cent economic growth in 2024, driven by agriculture, agribusiness, infrastructure development and services, making it an attractive destination for automotive investment.
The Ivorian Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Ambassador Kalilou Traoré, was represented at the press conference by Dr. Kaslime Kouassi.
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