Yanmar expands in West Africa

ATC Comafrique is a major automotive and industrial equipment distributor based in Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. Founded in 1966 as part of the Billon Family Group, one of the largest conglomerates in Côte d’Ivoire, ATC Comafrique is a distributor with a long-standing presence in the region. The company operates six showrooms and fourteen service centers across three West African countries, supplying automobiles and agricultural machinery.

ATC Comafrique initiated its business relationship with Yanmar Agri in 2021, starting with the sale of power tillers. Today, the company also supplies tractors, combine harvesters, spare parts, and provides after-sales services.

The two companies reached an agreement to collaborate in advancing agriculture across the region. Under the agreement, Yanmar will entrust ATC with the sales and servicing of its agricultural products. Beginning in fiscal 2025, the partnership will gradually expand its sales network across the region, aiming to conduct agricultural machinery operations in 16 West African countries, including Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana by fiscal 2035.

While cocoa and palm oil remain major crops in West Africa, recent food security concerns due to population growth have led to a growing emphasis on rice cultivation. With an extensive portfolio of machinery optimized for rice farming, Yanmar aims to drive sustainable agricultural development in the region by leveraging ATC’s established sales channels and after-sales support network.

As part of this alliance, ATC’s headquarters in Côte d’Ivoire will serve as the central hub for operations, providing tractors, combine harvesters, tillers, engines, and spare parts, along with full after-sales service, across all 16 West African countries.