By Victor Ahiuma-Young

EQUIP’AUTO SAS, organisers of the internationally renowned EQUIP AUTO trade show, has entered into a strategic partnership with Interlinks Auto to drive the expansion of the EQUIP AUTO brand into sub-Saharan Africa, beginning with the launch of EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire in Abidjan from November 26 to 28, 2026.

The partnership, announced alongside plans for the inaugural automotive, mobility and industrial vehicle exhibition in Côte d’Ivoire, is expected to deepen growth in Africa’s fast-expanding automotive, transport, after-sales and mobility sectors.

Under the arrangement, Luc Azilinon, CEO of Interlinks Auto, will support the deployment of the EQUIP AUTO brand across sub-Saharan Africa, while Akin Akinbola, Managing Director/CEO of Promosalons Nigeria, Cameroon and Gabon, will represent the organisers in Nigeria and Cameroon.

According to the organisers, the African automotive and mobility markets are witnessing strong and sustained growth driven by increasing vehicle volumes, expansion of fleet operations, modernisation of road infrastructure and rising demand for maintenance, services and innovative mobility solutions.

They explained that the event aims to position itself as a major regional platform bringing together key players across the automotive value chain, including equipment manufacturers, vehicle makers, distributors, repairers, mobility operators, institutions and economic decision-makers.

The organisers informed that EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire would adopt an expanded BtoBtoC format compared to the Paris edition, bringing together professionals, institutional stakeholders and the general public.

The exhibition is expected to cover several sectors including passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles, heavy-duty trucks, transport and logistics, agricultural machinery, industrial vehicles, public works and road infrastructure.

The organisers said the event would feature nearly 150 exhibitors and brands occupying about 7,000 square metres of exhibition space, while approximately 10,000 visitors are expected to attend.

Participants are expected to include repair professionals, distributors, fleet managers, transport operators, farmers, construction companies, infrastructure managers and members of the public.

Speaking on the partnership, President of the EQUIP AUTO trade show, Philippe Baudin, said the collaboration represented a major opportunity to support the development and structuring of Africa’s automotive and mobility sectors.

According to him, “EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire will be a unifying event for professionals in these markets. Our ambition is to offer Abidjan an international event capable of bringing together all players in the automotive, transport, infrastructure and new mobility sectors.”

Also speaking, President of Interlinks Auto, Luc Azilinon, described the collaboration as a major strategic opportunity founded on complementary expertise and a shared vision for the future of Africa’s mobility industry.

He said Interlinks Auto remained fully committed to supporting the successful implementation of the project with the aim of making it a sustainable driver of transformation and development in Côte d’Ivoire and across West Africa.