EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire Set to Drive West African Automotive Growth with Landmark Debut Exhibition

Organisers of the inaugural EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire have unveiled an ambitious roadmap to transform the automotive landscape in West Africa, with the exhibition expected to boost regional trade, attract global investors and strengthen cross-border partnerships across the mobility sector.

The maiden edition of the international automotive exhibition will take place from 26 to 28 November 2026 at the Abidjan Exhibition Centre in Côte d’Ivoire, bringing together more than 150 exhibitors and leading automotive brands from around the world.

The event is projected to attract about 10,000 industry professionals, business executives, policymakers, investors and members of the public, making it one of the largest automotive gatherings in the region.

The announcement was made during a press conference held on Wednesday at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, where President of Interlinks Auto and MIWA AFRICA SARL, Luc Azilinon, outlined the vision behind the exhibition and its expected impact on the West African automotive industry.

The press conference was convened by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Promosalons Nigeria, Cameroon and Gabon, Akin Akinbola, who represented the organisers of EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire in Nigeria and Cameroon.

Azilinon explained that the exhibition is the result of a strategic collaboration between EQUIP AUTO Paris and MIWA AFRICA SARL, marking the first time the internationally recognised automotive exhibition brand is being staged in sub-Saharan Africa.

He described the launch as an important step in expanding the global footprint of EQUIP AUTO while creating a dedicated platform for automotive business development across West Africa.

According to him, the exhibition has been designed to offer much more than a traditional trade fair. It will feature a combination of product exhibitions, technical conferences, thematic workshops, business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) meetings, live demonstrations and vehicle test drives.

He said these activities would provide opportunities for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and service providers to showcase innovations, exchange ideas and establish new commercial relationships.

Azilinon said the exhibition would embrace every major segment of the automotive and mobility industry, including passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles, heavy commercial and industrial vehicles, transport services, aftermarket products, agricultural machinery, public works equipment and infrastructure solutions.

He revealed that exhibitors would participate from Germany, France, Türkiye, Italy, Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroon, India, China, South Korea and Japan, highlighting the international appeal of the event.

According to him, the organisers intend to establish EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire as the foremost automotive business platform in West Africa by bringing together global expertise with regional opportunities.

He said the exhibition would provide a unique meeting point for automobile manufacturers, component producers, dealers, repairers, fleet operators, logistics companies, government agencies and investors seeking opportunities within Africa’s expanding mobility sector.

Azilinon noted that participants would gain access to cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions specifically tailored to the realities of West African markets, while businesses would be able to build strategic alliances capable of accelerating growth across national borders.

He said the exhibition would also contribute to the development of regional trade by encouraging collaboration among businesses operating within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and beyond.

“With an innovative B2B2C format, EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire aims to become the structuring meeting point for mobility in West Africa. The launch of EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire marks a major milestone in the international development of the brand,” Azilinon said.

He added that the exhibition would support the modernisation of automotive infrastructure, improve distribution networks and promote the adoption of international best practices throughout the region.

Azilinon further explained that international companies looking to establish a presence in West Africa would find the exhibition particularly valuable because it would simplify access to regional markets through direct engagement with industry stakeholders and policymakers.

Speaking on the choice of Côte d’Ivoire as the host country, he said the country possesses the political stability, economic resilience and strategic infrastructure required to support a regional automotive exhibition of international standards.

He observed that the country’s strengthened executive leadership following the 2025 elections has reinforced investor confidence, while its stable institutions continue to provide a favourable business environment.

According to him, Côte d’Ivoire’s active participation within ECOWAS also makes it a strategic gateway for companies seeking to expand across West Africa.

Azilinon highlighted the country’s sustained investment in transport, construction and energy infrastructure, describing the Port of Abidjan as one of the region’s most important maritime gateways and Abidjan itself as a major commercial and logistics centre.

He also pointed to Côte d’Ivoire’s strong macroeconomic performance, noting that the country recorded economic growth of 6.5 per cent in 2024, driven by agriculture, agribusiness, infrastructure development and the services sector.

The Interlinks Auto president said these factors collectively position the country as an ideal destination for the launch of an exhibition designed to shape the future of mobility and automotive commerce in West Africa.

He maintained that the inaugural edition would create fresh investment opportunities, facilitate technology transfer and encourage stronger collaboration between African businesses and international automotive companies.

The press conference was attended by government representatives, industry stakeholders and members of the diplomatic community.

The Ivorian Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Ambassador Kalilou Traoré, was represented by Dr Kaslime Kouassi, underscoring the Ivorian government’s support for the initiative and its commitment to expanding trade and economic cooperation with Nigeria and other countries across the region.

With hundreds of exhibitors, thousands of expected visitors and participation from leading global automotive brands, EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire is expected to become a major platform for innovation, investment and business networking, reinforcing Côte d’Ivoire’s growing role as a gateway to the West African automotive market.