Côte d'Ivoire motor show November 2026

For the first time, Equip Auto, the Paris trade show for automotive aftermarket and services, is holding an edition in sub-Saharan Africa. Abidjan was chosen as the regional hub because it gives access to a West African market of nearly 450 million people.

Are you a car dealer, parts distributor, equipment maker or mobility company? Then this event matters for your year-end sales calendar. This guide covers the dates, the venue, who is exhibiting, which vehicles will be on show, how to register, what is at stake for the industry and who is behind the show. It also explains how to prepare a stand that visitors actually stop at.

When will the motor show take place?

The motor show runs from Thursday 26 to Saturday 28 November 2026 at the Abidjan Exhibition Centre (Parc des Expositions d'Abidjan). Three days go by quickly, so every hour on your stand counts.

The organisers have announced the following programme:

• An exhibition of vehicles, equipment and services across 7,000 m²

• B2B meetings, with matchmaking between exhibitors and buyers

• Themed conferences on the energy transition, electric vehicles, end-of-life vehicle management, road safety, and agricultural and construction machinery

• An "experience village" where visitors can test-drive vehicles in real conditions

• A gala evening on 27 November 2026 at the French Ambassador's residence, with the Equip Auto Africa Awards (Innovation Award and Industry Impact Award)

Watch the calendar: SIREXE 2026 is also being held at the Abidjan Exhibition Centre, from 18 to 22 November. The two shows are almost back to back, so suppliers (stand building, furniture, printing) will be in high demand. If you are exhibiting, start planning your timeline now.

Who are the exhibitors?

Equip Auto Côte d'Ivoire expects more than 150 exhibitors and brands. The Abidjan international motor show brings together companies from many countries: France, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroon, India, China, South Korea and Japan. The surrounding region will be there too, including Benin, Ghana, Senegal and Burkina Faso.

Exhibitors cover the whole automotive value chain:

For exhibitors, this has one direct consequence: competition for attention will be fierce. Between international brands and local distributors, a standard stand is easily overlooked. You can compare the options on our page about modular stand solutions and in our turnkey stand packages.

Where is the show held?

The show is held at the Abidjan Exhibition Centre, the main exhibition venue in Côte d'Ivoire. It is located in Port-Bouët, close to Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport, which makes it easy to reach for exhibitors and visitors coming from abroad.

Why Abidjan? The organisers give several reasons:

1. The Port of Abidjan, one of the main gateways for goods entering West Africa

2. Strong economic growth, around 6.5% in 2024 according to figures reported in the trade press

3. Direct access to markets in Senegal, Benin, Togo and the landlocked countries further inland

4. ECOWAS membership, which makes regional trade easier

For exhibitors, the Abidjan Exhibition Centre has its own constraints: tight build-up schedules, height restrictions and shared logistics access. A stand builder who works on the site every week saves you time. Our team designs and builds in Abidjan (see our stand design and build services).

What types of vehicles will be on display?

The Côte d'Ivoire motor show covers a wide range, from passenger cars to construction machinery:

• New passenger cars, from city cars to SUVs

• Light commercial vehicles, in high demand from SMEs and urban transport

• Industrial vehicles and heavy trucks for transport and logistics

• Agricultural and construction machinery, linked to the country's major infrastructure projects

• Electric vehicles and mobility solutions, one of the main conference themes

Visitors will see innovation first-hand in the experience village, where they can try vehicles on site. For brands, it is a real chance to turn curiosity into qualified leads.

A practical tip: if you are putting a vehicle on your stand, plan for a reinforced floor, lighting suited to the bodywork and a meeting area away from the aisle from the design stage. These details are often forgotten, and they make a real difference to the quality of your conversations.

How do you register for the motor show in Côte d'Ivoire?

How you register depends on who you are.

If you are a trade visitor, registration goes through the event's official digital platform, which is also used to set up B2B meetings. Book your badge in advance to avoid queuing at the entrance and to schedule your meetings with exhibitors.

If you are an exhibitor or partner, you book directly with the Equip Auto organisers. There are three steps:

1. Booking your space (space only or shell scheme stand)

2. Choosing your location on the floor plan

3. Designing and building your stand, usually handed to a stand builder

The third step is where many exhibitors lose time. With less than two months to go, and SIREXE just before, build slots in Abidjan are filling up fast. Start your stand project as soon as your space is confirmed. Send us your floor plan through our contact page and we will come back to you with a 3D proposal.

What is at stake for the automotive industry?

The Ivorian automotive industry is getting more structured. More than 27,000 new vehicles were registered in Côte d'Ivoire in 2024, according to figures quoted by the organisers. Estimates of the total vehicle fleet range from 600,000 to 1 million depending on the source, with a large share of imported used vehicles.

The main development challenges for West Africa are:

• Modernising the vehicle fleet, which is still ageing, and growing new car sales

• Structuring the aftermarket, with reliable parts and better-equipped workshops

• Road safety, which depends on vehicle condition and the quality of maintenance

• The energy transition, with electric vehicles taking their first steps

• Regional integration, driven by ECOWAS and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

For brands, the growth is real but competitive. Being at the first edition of a show this size is a way to establish yourself early in a market that is taking shape.

Who organises the motor show?

Equip Auto Côte d'Ivoire is run by Equip Auto SAS, the organiser of the Paris show, chaired by Philippe Baudin. The Ivorian edition is organised in partnership with MIWA Africa and Interlinks Auto, both chaired by Luc Azilinon, co-founder of the event. Aurélie Jouve is the operations director.

The Promosalons network supports the show's international promotion, particularly with Nigerian buyers. The show also has diplomatic backing, as the gala evening at the French Ambassador's residence shows.

Abidjan is part of Equip Auto's growth in Africa, following Algiers and ahead of a planned edition in Casablanca.

Conclusion

The November 2026 Côte d'Ivoire motor show is a first for the region. The key facts:

• Dates: 26 to 28 November 2026

• Venue: Abidjan Exhibition Centre

• Figures: more than 150 exhibitors, 10,000 expected visitors, 7,000 m²

• Content: vehicles, aftermarket, machinery, electric mobility, B2B meetings

• Organisers: Equip Auto SAS with MIWA Africa and Interlinks Auto

Exhibiting and want a stand that holds its own against international brands? Monstand designs and builds your stand in Abidjan, from the 3D design to on-site installation. Request your proposal today or message us on WhatsApp.

FAQ

When is Equip Auto Côte d'Ivoire?

The show takes place from 26 to 28 November 2026 at the Abidjan Exhibition Centre.

How many exhibitors are expected?

More than 150 exhibitors and brands from Europe, Asia and Africa, with around 10,000 visitors.

Is the show open to the public?

The show is aimed mainly at professionals, but the organisers have said the general public will also be welcome, especially at the experience village.

How long does it take to prepare a stand?

Allow at least 4 to 6 weeks between design approval and build-up. With SIREXE the week before, it is best to start early. You will find more advice on our trade show blog.