Côte d’Ivoire hosts launch of Africa’s supplier and investor fair

The Côte d’Ivoire Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI-CI) kicked off the official launch of the second edition of the International Fair of Suppliers and Investors in Africa (SIFIA 2026) on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the Plateau district. Centered around the theme ‘Connecting businesses, creating markets, and accelerating growth,’ the event featured a dedicated Business Networking session bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and key partners.

Beyond a trade fair: driving enterprise growth

Marc Ekressin, Commissioner-General of SIFIA, emphasized that this gathering is designed to be more than just a professional exhibition. ‘I didn’t come here today to talk about a trade fair. I came to talk about the growth of your businesses,’ he stated. His message was clear: participants should leave with new clients, strategic partnerships, signed contracts, and expanded market access.

The first edition of SIFIA delivered impressive outcomes, including 130 exhibitors, over 1,700 qualified visitors, 17 partnerships formalized, five international companies establishing operations in Côte d’Ivoire, and business deals exceeding 4.5 billion FCFA.

A tailored approach to business matchmaking

The organizers are placing special emphasis on SIFIA IAPA, an end-to-end matchmaking service designed to operate before, during, and after the event. The system identifies company needs, connects them with qualified prospects and partners, arranges business meetings, and provides post-event follow-up. ‘A meeting should turn into a contract,’ Ekressin stressed.

Public and financial sector urged to support SMEs

Ekressin also called on government agencies and financial institutions to enhance their support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by offering financing solutions better aligned with their operational realities.

Key takeaway for entrepreneurs: invest in growth, not just space

Addressing business leaders directly, he advised them to plan ahead: ‘Don’t just book a booth. Book your growth.’

Through these initiatives, SIFIA 2026 is positioned to deepen business, investor, and partner connections, transforming networking opportunities into tangible business gains and fueling the expansion of the private sector.