The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d’Ivoire (CCI-CI) inaugurated the second edition of the International Supplier and Investor Fair of Africa (SIFIA 2026) on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the Plateau in Abidjan. Under the theme “Connecting businesses, creating markets, and accelerating growth,” the event kicked off with a high-profile launch followed by a dynamic Business Networking session that brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and strategic partners.
Marc Ekressin, Commissioner General of SIFIA 2026, set the tone by framing the fair as more than just a professional gathering. “Today, I’m not here to talk about a trade show—I’m here to talk about scaling up your business,” he stated, urging participants to leave with tangible outcomes: new clients, partnerships, signed contracts, and expanded markets.
SIFIA 2026 builds on the success of its first edition, which saw 130 exhibitors, 1,700 qualified visitors, 17 partnerships formalized, five international companies establishing operations in Côte d’Ivoire, and over 4.5 billion CFA francs in business transactions.
A key innovation this year is the SIFIA IAPA platform, an end-to-end intermediary system designed to maximize opportunities before, during, and after the event. It streamlines company needs assessment, prospect identification, meeting scheduling, and post-event follow-ups. “A meeting should translate into a contract,” Ekressin emphasized, underscoring the fair’s commitment to turning connections into concrete business results.
He also called on public authorities and financial institutions to bolster support for SMEs and SMIs by offering financing solutions tailored to their operational realities.
Addressing business leaders directly, Ekressin issued a compelling call to action: “Don’t just book a booth—secure your growth.”
The CCI-CI and SIFIA 2026 are positioning this edition as a catalyst for deeper collaboration between enterprises, investors, and partners. The ultimate goal? To convert networking into lasting business opportunities and propel private sector growth across the continent.