Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire Partner to Boost Auto Parts Trade and Expand Business Opportunities

Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire are deepening collaboration to accelerate the growth of Africa’s automotive aftermarket, with industry leaders identifying regional integration, skills development and improved access to genuine original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts as critical to unlocking new business opportunities across the continent.

The partnership was highlighted during a media roundtable in Lagos ahead of the inaugural EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire 2026, an international automotive exhibition scheduled to take place in Abidjan in November.

The exhibition is expected to bring together automotive businesses, global manufacturers, technology providers and investors while promoting West Africa as an integrated automotive market.

Speaking at the event, President of Interlinks Auto and one of the exhibition organisers, Luc Azilinon, described Nigeria as a strategic player in the region’s automotive industry, noting that the country accounts for nearly half of West Africa’s automotive market.

He said Nigeria’s participation would help bridge Anglophone and Francophone markets, strengthening regional automotive value chains and encouraging greater continental integration.

According to Azilinon, fragmented markets continue to limit Africa’s ability to attract global investment and expand local vehicle manufacturing.

“Our ambition is to connect the global automotive industry with Africa’s growing markets. Nigeria is not coming as a visitor but as a key stakeholder because of its leadership in the region’s automotive industry,” he said.

He explained that the exhibition will extend beyond the display of vehicles and spare parts by creating a platform for discussions on infrastructure development, electric mobility, automotive digitalisation, counterfeit spare parts, technical skills development and opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

More than 20 international automotive experts are expected to join African policymakers and industry leaders to discuss strategies for strengthening the continent’s automotive ecosystem.

Azilinon added that the exhibition will facilitate business-to-business engagements between African companies and international manufacturers, enabling local businesses to gain better access to genuine OEM components, modern repair technologies and global supply chains.

He also revealed plans to establish a Pan-African Automotive Training Academy, with Nigeria among the countries expected to host training centres for spare parts dealers, technicians and workshop operators.

According to him, strengthening technical skills across the region will attract investment, modernise vehicle repair services and improve efficiency throughout the automotive value chain.

Commenting on the future of electric vehicles in Africa, Azilinon said governments and industry stakeholders must first address challenges related to charging infrastructure, reliable electricity supply and battery recycling before large-scale adoption can be achieved.

He further called for stronger collaboration between governments and vehicle manufacturers to tackle the growing problem of counterfeit spare parts, stressing that wider access to genuine products at competitive prices would improve consumer safety and enhance industry growth.

Representing the Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to Nigeria, the Embassy’s Director of Tourism, Dr. Kaslime Kouassi, described Nigeria as a major force in Africa’s automotive sector and encouraged Nigerian manufacturers, distributors and spare parts dealers to leverage the partnership to expand cross-border trade and investment.

He said stronger cooperation between both countries would help build a more competitive African automotive market, stimulate investment and create new commercial opportunities for businesses across the continent.

The exhibition, organised by EQUIP AUTO France in partnership with Interlinks Auto and Promosalons Nigeria, is expected to bring together automotive manufacturers, spare parts producers, equipment suppliers, fleet operators, policymakers and investors from Africa, Europe and Asia to explore investment prospects and strengthen Africa’s rapidly expanding automotive aftermarket.