Key Takeaways
- The inaugural Equip Auto Côte d’Ivoire will strengthen the regional automotive market in Africa.
- Africa is the next growing market, with a potential for development and investment.
- The event will bridge the gap between Anglophone and Francophone markets, enabling regional economic integration.
- Over 150 exhibitors from around the world will attend the event.
- A West Pan-African training academy will be launched to provide local and online training for spare part distributors and direct networks.
The inaugural Equip Auto Côte d’Ivoire will take place in Abidjan from November 26 to 28, 2026, and is expected to strengthen the regional automotive market in both Anglophone and Francophone countries, according to Luc Azilinon, CEO of Interlinks Auto.
Africa stands as the next growing market, positioning it as a potential place for players all over the world to come to Africa in order to start development there. However, Azilinon stressed that Africans also need to organize their automotive sector and have a complete structure of their market at a regional level.
Regional Market Structure
According to Azilinon, Nigeria represents 50 per cent of the Western African automotive market, but there is still a gap between the Anglophone market and the Francophone market. The Equip Auto Côte d’Ivoire event will provide an opportunity to eliminate this gap and make a connection between the two markets.
The international trade show will also enable regional economic integration, skill development, and the launch of a West Pan-African training academy. This academy will provide local and online training for spare part distributors and direct networks, with services based in different countries.
Over 150 exhibitors from around the world, including China, Korea, Japan, Arab countries, Europe, and the US, will attend the event. 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.
Why This Matters
The Equip Auto Côte d’Ivoire event is a significant milestone in the development of the African automotive market, and its success will have a positive impact on the region's economy and industry. With its innovative BtoBtoC format, the event is expected to become the structuring meeting point for mobility in West Africa, bridging the gap between Anglophone and Francophone markets and enabling regional economic integration.