EQUIP AUTO Sets Sights on West Africa with Inaugural Côte d’Ivoire Exhibition
EQUIP AUTO, the international automotive aftermarket exhibition, is expanding its footprint into Sub-Saharan Africa with the launch of EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire, a three-day event scheduled for 26 to 28 November 2026 at the Parc des Expositions d’Abidjan.
The inaugural exhibition is expected to attract about 150 exhibitors and brands and 10,000 visitors, with organisers allocating 7,000 square metres of exhibition space to showcase products, technologies and services across the automotive, mobility and industrial vehicle sectors.
The move represents a significant expansion for the EQUIP AUTO brand, which has spent five decades building a platform for automotive industry stakeholders and connecting manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and other professionals.
Organisers said the Abidjan event was conceived as more than a national exhibition, with a strong regional focus aimed at connecting West African markets to international automotive businesses and technology providers.
With ECOWAS representing a consumer market of more than 450 million people, Abidjan is being positioned as a strategic gateway for companies seeking opportunities across the region.
The organisers said the event would promote commercial partnerships, facilitate access to international technologies and expertise and contribute to the professionalisation and development of West Africa’s automotive industry.
The regional ambition is already reflected in promotional activities undertaken in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Benin.
A breakfast presentation for industry stakeholders in Benin is scheduled for 8 September as part of efforts to build awareness and participation ahead of the November exhibition.
EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire will bring together stakeholders from across the automotive value chain, covering both traditional automotive businesses and emerging mobility solutions.
The exhibition will feature passenger car, light commercial vehicle and heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers, automotive equipment suppliers, spare parts companies, tyre and lubricant manufacturers, workshop equipment providers and diagnostics and tools specialists.
Other areas will include body repair, vehicle distribution and repair networks, inspection services, digital solutions, energy and charging infrastructure, used vehicles, remanufacturing and recycling.
Financial services, insurance and infrastructure providers are also expected to participate.
The exhibition will extend beyond road vehicles to agricultural machinery, construction equipment and transport, reflecting the importance of these sectors to economies across West Africa.
Several international and regional brands have already confirmed their participation, including Bosch, Bardahl, CFAO-Winpart, Varta, Facom, Gates, KYB, Mecafilter, Nexus International, Purflux, Quipux Afrique, Stanley Black & Decker, UFI Filters and Valeo.
Rather than focusing solely on conventional exhibition stands, the organisers said the event would combine business-to-business meetings with conferences, training sessions, demonstrations and dynamic test drives.
The Experience Village will be one of the major attractions, giving visitors an opportunity to experience a range of vehicles and equipment, including passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, heavy-duty vehicles, agricultural machinery and construction equipment.
The programme is also expected to provide opportunities for industry professionals to exchange knowledge, build commercial relationships and examine technological developments affecting mobility.
A conference programme will address some of the major challenges facing the West African automotive industry, particularly the transition towards cleaner, safer and more modern transport systems.
Key subjects will include vehicle fleet modernisation, end-of-life vehicle management, electric mobility, alternative energy sources, maintenance quality and road safety.
The discussions will also examine freight and passenger transport modernisation, industrial development, the fight against counterfeit automotive products and consumer protection.
The opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will also feature prominently, particularly its potential to encourage regional production, trade and investment.
The first edition will introduce the EQUIP AUTO Africa Awards, designed to recognise companies and initiatives contributing to innovation and the development of Africa’s automotive and mobility sectors.
Winners will be presented with their awards during a gala evening on 27 November at the Residence of the French Ambassador in Abidjan.
The organisers said the awards would help showcase businesses and initiatives playing a role in transforming Africa’s automotive landscape.
EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire is being organised by MIWA Africa, a business development platform established through an alliance between EQUIP’AUTO SAS and Interlinks Auto.
MIWA Africa focuses on the automotive, mobility and services sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa and seeks to connect international and African businesses, support market expansion and encourage sustainable partnerships.
Through the Abidjan exhibition, EQUIP AUTO aims to create a stronger link between African automotive markets and the international industry.
The event will bring together manufacturers, distributors, repair professionals, fleet managers, transport operators, investors, institutions and policymakers, with the broader objective of supporting skills development, networking, investment and innovation across West Africa’s rapidly evolving automotive and mobility sector.
