The Côte d’Ivoire Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI-CI) inaugurated the second edition of the International African Suppliers and Investors Fair (SIFIA 2026) in Abidjan’s Plateau district on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. The event, centered on the theme “Connecting businesses, creating markets, and accelerating growth”, kicked off with a high-level business networking session bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and strategic partners.
The SIFIA 2026 vision: transforming connections into growth
Marc Ekressin, General Commissioner of SIFIA, framed the fair not as a conventional exhibition but as a catalyst for business expansion. « Today, I’m not here to present a trade show—I’m here to talk about scaling your enterprises, » he declared. His message was clear: participants should leave with tangible outcomes—clients, partnerships, signed contracts, and access to new markets.
Strong legacy from the first edition
The inaugural SIFIA delivered measurable results, including 130 exhibitors, 1,700 qualified visitors, 17 signed partnerships, five international companies establishing operations in Côte d’Ivoire, and business deals exceeding 4.5 billion West African CFA francs. Organizers are banking on these figures to build momentum for the second edition.
SIFIA IAPA: a year-round bridge to opportunity
A standout feature of SIFIA 2026 is the SIFIA Intermediation and Partnership Aid (IAPA), a structured pre-, during-, and post-event service. It streamlines matchmaking by identifying corporate needs, sourcing prospects, arranging business meetings, and tracking outcomes after the fair. « A meeting isn’t complete until it becomes a contract, » Ekressin emphasized.
Public and private sector urged to support SMEs
Ekressin also called on policymakers and financial institutions to tailor funding instruments more closely to the realities of small and medium-sized enterprises, ensuring they can fully capitalize on SIFIA’s networking and matchmaking capabilities.
Call to action for business leaders
Addressing company executives, he urged proactive participation: « Don’t just book a booth—secure your growth. » This rallying cry underscores the fair’s mission to convert every handshake into a business advantage.
The organizers aim to deepen the links between enterprises, investors, and partners, converting networking into real economic gains and propelling Côte d’Ivoire’s private sector forward.
