Avolta launches first Africa hybrid Retail and F&B Store at Abidjan International Airport

Avolta, leading global travel retail and F&B player, has opened its first-ever hybrid store in Africa, at Félix Houphouët-Boigny Airport, Côte d’Ivoire.

Located within the renewed duty-free store spanning more than 620 square meters, the opening serves as a milestone for the region and a proofpoint of Avolta’s global strategy.

The newly transformed store in Terminal 1 includes a bespoke café, Graines d’ébène, that brings together the richness of local food heritage with premium, global culinary culture, creating a vibrant space for travelers to shop and dine. As one of the busiest airports in West Africa for air traffic, Félix Houphouët-Boigny Airport provides access to a diverse and dynamic mix of global travelers.

Avolta’s commitment to innovation is reflected in the store’s digital features, including interactive screens, virtual cosmetic try-ons, and fragrance finders to personalize the shopping journey. A dedicated space for local products brings the African culture inside the terminal, with a special focus on supporting local chocolate artisans.

“We are incredibly proud to introduce the hybrid concept in Africa for the very first time,” said Abdeslam Agzoul, CEO Middle East and Africa. “This launch not only reflects our global ambition to transform the airport experience but also highlights our long-standing partnership with AERIA and our strong commitment to the dynamism of Ivory Coast. With the store’s modern refurbishment, leading technology, and innovative hybrid format, we continue to raise the bar in delivering seamless, world-class experiences to every passenger.”

“The launch of this new concept by Avolta is in line with AERIA’s strategic vision of making Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan one of the main hubs in West and Central Africa, as well as an attractive, green, user-friendly, and also an international benchmark,” said Dr. Aka Manouan, CEO of AERIA. “We welcome this partnership and the actions implemented by our two organizations with the aim of constantly improving the customer experience for passengers. The choice of Abidjan as the location for the first hybrid retail store in Africa is a recognition of our expertise and reliability.

“For several years, we have been working together on programs aimed at streamlining the travel experience for our passengers, enhancing the comfort of commercial and waiting areas, and raising the quality of services offered. These sustained daily efforts have recently been rewarded with the Level 3 of the ASQ certification from ACI (Airport Council International).”

This opening supports Avolta’s vision to make the journey as rewarding as the destination through integrating travel retail with food &beverage into a hybrid concept to drive convenience and experience for travelers.