Equip Auto Expands Into Africa With New Investments For Job Creation

French trade exhibition organiser, Equip Auto SAS, has announced plans to expand into sub-Saharan Africa with the launch of a new automotive industry exhibition in Côte d’Ivoire.

The company said the event, known as Equip Auto Côte d’Ivoire, is targeting stakeholders across the automotive, mobility, transport and industrial vehicle value chain.

The exhibition marks the company’s first major entry into the sub-Saharan African market and forms part of its broader international expansion strategy.

According to the organisers, the event is designed to broaden its focus beyond the traditional automotive aftermarket segment to include construction and agricultural equipment industries.

To support the rollout of the initiative in Africa, Equip Auto SAS says its partnering with Luc Azilinon, chief executive officer of Interlinks Auto.

The collaboration is aimed at strengthening engagement with automotive and mobility stakeholders across West Africa and supporting the development of regional trade networks.

They noted that African automotive and mobility markets have continued to record growth, driven by rising vehicle ownership, expanding transport fleets, infrastructure development, and increasing demand for maintenance and mobility services.

The company said the Abidjan exhibition is expected to serve as a regional platform bringing together manufacturers, distributors, repairers, mobility operators, policymakers and investors operating within the sector.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Promosalons Nigeria, Akin Akinbola, is expected to represent Nigeria and Cameroon in the initiative.

The organisers stated that the exhibition would adopt a business-to-business and business-to-consumer format, allowing participation from industry professionals, institutional stakeholders and members of the public.

According to the organisers, sectors expected to feature at the event include passenger vehicles, commercial transport, logistics, agricultural machinery, industrial vehicles, public works equipment and road infrastructure services.

They added that the event is projected to host about 150 exhibitors and brands, as well as attract nearly 10,000 visitors, including transport operators, distributors, repair professionals, agricultural cooperatives and construction firms.

President of Equip Auto trade show, Philippe Baudin, said the partnership with Interlinks Auto aligns with efforts to support the development of Africa’s automotive and mobility sectors.

Baudin said the organisers intend to position the Abidjan exhibition as a regional meeting point for stakeholders involved in automotive services, transport systems, infrastructure and emerging mobility solutions.

In his remarks, Azilinon described the collaboration as an opportunity to deepen cooperation within Africa’s automotive industry and support discussions around infrastructure development and mobility innovation in West Africa.

He added that Interlinks Auto would work with Equip Auto SAS on the planning and implementation of the exhibition in Côte d’Ivoire.