By Theodore Opara

The maiden edition of EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire will bring together more than 150 exhibitors and automotive brands from across the world in Abidjan from November 26 to 28, 2026, with a strong focus on boosting regional trade and cross-border partnerships in West Africa.

President of Interlinks Auto and MIWA AFRICA SARL, Mr. Luc Azilinon, announced the event during a press conference held on Wednesday at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The briefing was convened by the Managing Director/CEO of Promosalons Nigeria, Cameroon and Gabon, Mr. Akin Akinbola, who represents the organisers of EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire for Nigeria and Cameroon.

EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire is a collaboration between EQUIP AUTO Paris and MIWA AFRICA SARL and marks the exhibition brand’s expansion into sub-Saharan Africa.

Azilinon said the three-day event will combine exhibitions, thematic workshops, conferences, business-to-business and business-to-consumer meetings, live demonstrations and vehicle testing. The exhibition is expected to attract about 10,000 industry professionals, visitors and members of the public across all mobility and vehicle segments.

He said the event will cover passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles, industrial vehicles, transport, aftermarket services, agriculture and public works, reflecting the realities of the West African market.

According to him, exhibitors are expected from Germany, France, Türkiye, Italy, Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroon, India, China, South Korea and Japan.

Azilinon said the organisers aim to position EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire as the leading automotive and mobility business platform in West Africa.

“With an innovative B2B2C format, EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire aims to become the structuring meeting point for mobility in West Africa,” he said.

He noted that the exhibition will provide manufacturers, distributors, repairers, fleet operators and public sector stakeholders with access to new technologies, market opportunities and strategic partnerships across the region.

The event is also expected to support the modernisation of automotive infrastructure, distribution networks and professional practices while facilitating easier access to West African markets for international investors and brands.

Explaining why Côte d’Ivoire was selected for the inaugural edition, Azilinon cited the country’s political stability, strong governance, investment-friendly environment and strategic position within ECOWAS.

He highlighted the Port of Abidjan as a major logistics hub in West Africa and noted that the country recorded economic growth of 6.5 per cent in 2024, driven by agriculture, agribusiness, infrastructure and services.

The Ivorian Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Kalilou Traoré, was represented at the event by Dr. Kaslime Kouassi.