Equip Auto to make Sub-Saharan Africa debut in Abidjan

EQUIP AUTO, the international automotive aftermarket and mobility exhibition, is set to make its debut in Sub-Saharan Africa with the launch of EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire, scheduled to take place in Abidjan from 26 to 28 November 2026.

The inaugural regional event, which will be held at the Parc des Expositions d’Abidjan, is expected to attract about 10,000 visitors and 150 exhibitors and brands, with 7,000 square metres of exhibition space dedicated to automotive, aftermarket, mobility and industrial vehicle solutions.

The organisers said the event represented a new phase in EQUIP AUTO’s international expansion after five decades of serving the global automotive industry.

They said the Abidjan exhibition was conceived not only as an Ivorian event but as a regional platform connecting West Africa’s automotive markets with international manufacturers, equipment suppliers, distributors, technology companies and service providers.

The choice of Abidjan reflects the city’s strategic position within the West African market, with the organisers highlighting the more than 450 million consumers across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

According to the organisers, the region’s growing vehicle population, expanding distribution and repair networks and ongoing infrastructure modernisation are creating new opportunities for automotive businesses and mobility solutions.

EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire is therefore expected to provide a platform for business-to-business engagement, technology transfer, professional networking and partnerships, while contributing to the development and formalisation of the West African automotive industry.

The organisers have already undertaken promotional activities in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Benin, working with professional, institutional and economic organisations in the respective markets.

The regional campaign is expected to continue with a breakfast presentation of the Abidjan event for industry stakeholders in Benin on 8 September 2026.

EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire will cover a broad spectrum of the automotive and mobility value chain.

The exhibition is expected to feature manufacturers and suppliers serving passenger cars, light commercial vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles, alongside companies involved in spare parts, tyres, lubricants, workshop equipment, diagnostics, tools and vehicle body repair.

Distribution and repair networks, vehicle inspection companies, digital solution providers, energy and charging infrastructure firms, used-vehicle businesses, remanufacturing and recycling companies, as well as financing, insurance and infrastructure providers, are also expected to participate.

The organisers said the scope would extend beyond conventional automotive activities to include agricultural machinery, construction equipment and transport, reflecting the diverse needs of West African economies.

A number of international and regional companies have already confirmed their participation. They include Bosch, Bardahl, CFAO-Winpart, Varta, Facom, Gates, KYB, Mecafilter, Nexus International, Purflux, Quipux Afrique, Stanley Black & Decker, UFI Filters and Valeo.

Organisers said the event would go beyond a conventional trade exhibition by combining product displays with business meetings, conferences, training, demonstrations and test-drive activities.

One of the key attractions will be the Experience Village, which will provide opportunities for visitors to see and test vehicles and equipment across several categories, including passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, heavy-duty vehicles, agricultural machinery and construction equipment.

The three-day programme will also feature conferences addressing major challenges confronting the automotive and mobility sectors in West Africa.

Another major component will be the EQUIP AUTO Africa Awards, designed to recognise companies and initiatives contributing to innovation and the development of Africa’s automotive and mobility industries.

The winners will be honoured at a gala evening scheduled for 27 November at the Residence of the French Ambassador in Abidjan.

The organisers said the combination of exhibitions, demonstrations, training and networking was designed to promote knowledge sharing while providing practical opportunities for industry stakeholders to develop partnerships.

The conference programme will focus on three broad areas: environmental sustainability, transport modernisation and new mobility solutions, as well as the professionalisation of the automotive sector.

Discussions are expected to cover vehicle fleet modernisation, end-of-life vehicle management, electric mobility and alternative energy sources.

Other areas of focus will include vehicle maintenance and road safety, the modernisation of freight and passenger transport, industrial development, combating counterfeit automotive products and protecting consumers.

The programme will also examine opportunities that could emerge from the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), particularly for the development of regional automotive value chains.

The organisers said the discussions were intended to address the structural and technological changes affecting mobility in Africa while creating opportunities for stakeholders to share experience and identify practical solutions.

EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire is being organised by MIWA Africa, a business development platform focused on the automotive, mobility and services sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa.

MIWA Africa was established through an alliance between EQUIP’AUTO SAS and Interlinks Auto, with a mandate to facilitate international exchanges, connect economic stakeholders and develop business opportunities across the continent.

The organisation said it would use its industry expertise, local presence and regional network to support companies seeking to expand in African markets, contribute to the structuring of industry sectors and encourage long-term partnerships.

Through the Abidjan event, EQUIP AUTO is seeking to establish a stronger link between African markets and the international automotive ecosystem, bringing together manufacturers, distributors, repair professionals, fleet managers, transport operators, investors, institutions and government decision-makers.

The organisers said the ultimate objective was to create a platform that would help the West African automotive and mobility industry “train, connect and showcase” its stakeholders while supporting the sector’s transformation.

With its first edition scheduled for 26–28 November 2026, EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire is expected to provide a new regional meeting point for businesses seeking access to West Africa’s expanding automotive and mobility market.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).