EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire to strengthen regional trade, grow West Africa’s automotive market
EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire, an international automotive exhibition, is expected to strengthen regional trade and grow West Africa’s automotive industry by linking Anglophone and Francophone markets to unlock investment, technology transfer and cross-border partnerships.
EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire, an international automotive exhibition, is expected to strengthen regional trade and grow West Africa’s automotive industry by linking Anglophone and Francophone markets to unlock investment, technology transfer and cross-border partnerships.
The inaugural exhibition is scheduled for November 26–28, 2026, at the Abidjan Exhibition Centre, Côte d’Ivoire, attracting more than 150 exhibitors from Europe, Asia and Africa, alongside policymakers, manufacturers, distributors and aftermarket operators from over 10 African countries.
Speaking during a press briefing in preparation for the international trade show, Luc Azilinon, president of Interlinks Auto and MIWA AFRICA SARL, said the exhibition comes as a collaboration between EQUIP AUTO Paris and MIWA AFRICA SARL.
Azilinon said that the show will combine exhibition, thematic workshops, conferences, B2B2C meetings, demonstrations and live vehicle testing, with about 10,000 professionals, visitors and the general public across all mobility and vehicle segments over the three days.
“In alignment with regional realities and dynamics, EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire will cover passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles and industrial vehicles, transport, aftermarket, agriculture, and public works.
“Exhibitors are expected from across Germany, France, Turkiye, Italy, Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroon, India, China, South Korea, and Japan,” he said.
Azilinon also said that the ambition is to position EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire as the leading platform for developing business in West Africa, combining innovation and business, and to establish the region as a strategic hub for mobility and the automotive industry across the continent.
“With an innovative BtoBtoC 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,” he said.
Azilinon added that the exhibition will create a strategic meeting hub for industry professionals, including manufacturers, distributors, repairers, fleet operators and public stakeholders, and provide privileged access to innovations, technologies and solutions tailored to West African market realities.
He further said that the event will stimulate regional trade and foster cross-border partnerships, support the modernisation of infrastructure, distribution networks and professional practices, and facilitate the local and regional establishment of international players by easing access to West African markets.
Kaslime Kouassi, director of tourism, Côte d’Ivoire, representing Kalilou Traore, ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to Nigeria, described Nigeria as a major force in Africa’s automotive industry and encouraged Nigerian manufacturers, distributors and spare parts dealers to leverage the partnership to expand cross-border business.
He said closer collaboration between the two countries would strengthen Africa’s automotive market, encourage investment, and create new commercial opportunities for businesses across the continent.
