Alkagesta West Africa expansion targets Côte d’Ivoire trade

Alkagesta West Africa expansion plans have moved forward with a senior management visit to Abidjan, where the commodity trading group introduced its steel business, Alkavex, to the Côte d’Ivoire market. According to Gulf Oil and Gas, the trip formed part of Alkagesta’s effort to develop its metals activities and evaluate commercial prospects in one of the region’s larger economies. Alkavex was established as a joint venture between Alkagesta and Navex SAS.

The delegation comprised Alkagesta board member Pierre Gay and chief executive Orkhan Rustamov, alongside Alkavex chief executive Jean-Pierre Artigala, chief financial officer Sylvain Artigala and deputy chief executive Nijat Osmanli. Their participation reflected the group’s assessment of Côte d’Ivoire as an important location for its longer-term plans in West Africa.

Port and industrial visits in Abidjan

The programme included a visit to the Port of Abidjan, a significant freight and logistics centre serving West Africa. The executives also met several steel mills operating in the Yopougon Industrial Zone, an established manufacturing district within Abidjan. These engagements gave the companies an opportunity to examine local industrial requirements, logistics arrangements and possible areas for closer customer and partner relationships.

Alongside its steel-focused discussions, the delegation considered potential forms of co-operation in the petroleum sector. No individual projects, counterparties, investment values or timetables were disclosed. The inclusion of petroleum in the programme is consistent with Alkagesta’s wider commodity portfolio, which covers petroleum products, fertilisers and biofuels as well as its developing steel trading operation.

Côte d’Ivoire has recorded average annual gross domestic product growth of about 6-7% during the past decade, according to the source material, placing it among Africa’s faster-growing economies over that period. Its population has risen above 28 million. Continued demographic growth, infrastructure construction and industrial development are supporting domestic demand, while Abidjan serves as a major commercial entry point for regional trade.

Steel trading supports broader commodity strategy

Alkagesta said maintaining a local presence would help it understand operating conditions, identify potential efficiencies and develop lasting commercial relationships. Alkavex chief executive Jean-Pierre Artigala identified Côte d’Ivoire’s infrastructure and industrial development plans as factors supporting its market potential, with the company seeking to serve customers through dependable supply and sustained engagement.

Gay said steel occupies an important position within Alkagesta’s expanding range of traded commodities. The group views Côte d’Ivoire as a priority market matching its plans for sustained development across West Africa. The Abidjan visit did not include an announcement of a transaction or new facility, but it provided Alkagesta and Alkavex with direct exposure to the country’s port, steel manufacturing base and possible petroleum-sector partnerships.