Alkagesta Advances West Africa Growth Strategy with Executive Delegation to Côte d’Ivoire together with its steel trading arm – Alkavex
As part of the growing metal trading portfolio of Alkagesta, a strategic business trip was conducted to Abidjan, the economic capital of Ivory Coast, to introduce Alkavex, the steel trading arm of Alkagesta, established as a joint venture with Navex SAS. The visit took place with the presence of Alkagesta Board Member Pierre Gay, Alkagesta CEO Orkhan Rustamov, Alkavex CEO Jean-Pierre Artigala, Alkavex CFO Sylvain Artigala, and Alkavex Deputy CEO Nijat Osmanli reflecting the strategic importance of the region for the Group.
The program included a visit to the Port of Abidjan, one of West Africa’s most important logistics hubs, as well as engagements with several steel mills in the Yopougon Industrial Zone, a key industrial center driving the country’s manufacturing sector. In parallel, time was dedicated to exploring potential areas of cooperation in the petroleum industry.
Ivory Coast continues to demonstrate strong economic momentum. Over the past decade, the country has consistently ranked among Africa’s fastest-growing economies, maintaining average annual GDP growth rates of approximately 6–7%. With a dynamic population now exceeding 28 million and steady demographic expansion, domestic demand, infrastructure development, and industrial activity continue to accelerate. Abidjan stands as a vibrant commercial gateway for the region, reinforcing its strategic importance for international partnerships and long-term investment.
This business trip reflects a clear commitment to being closer to customers and partners. At Alkagesta, sustainable collaboration is built on strong presence on the ground—understanding operational realities, identifying optimization opportunities, and building long-term trust.
Côte d’Ivoire, as a rapidly developing country with ambitious infrastructure and industrial projects, represents a highly promising market for Alkavex. Continued support to customers is delivered through reliability, partnership, and long-term engagement, as highlighted by Alkavex CEO Jean-Pierre Artigala.
As Alkagesta’s portfolio continues to grow to include petroleum products, fertilizers, and bio-fuels, steel trading holds a strong and strategic place, and Côte d’Ivoire stands out as a key market aligned with the vision for sustainable expansion in West Africa, as noted by Alkagesta Board Member Pierre Gay.
Read the full coverage here: Malta Today
About Alkagesta
Alkagesta is a global commodity trading house specializing in petroleum and steel products, fertilizers, and biofuels. Established in Malta in 2018, the company operates as a multinational enterprise with 17 offices and representations worldwide. Alkagesta maintains partnerships with 28 international banks and conducts trading activities across 42 countries, facilitating over 8 million metric tons of commodity flows annually. Its extensive logistics network includes access to more than 700,000 cubic meters of storage capacity across Europe and Asia, supporting efficient and resilient global supply chains.
The company offers fully integrated trading capabilities — from sourcing and storage to delivery — underpinned by robust risk management, compliance, and governance frameworks.
Alkagesta was founded in 2018 by its management team and remains privately held and governed by senior leadership. Senior leadership, including the founding team, holds a significant equity stake in the company, which continues to grow in alignment with performance and strategic contribution. Today, the Group employs over 165 professionals and is built on tested systems, experienced governance, and a culture of continuous development.
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