Dubai (PlantAndEquipment.com) - Hitachi Construction Machinery Europe (HCME) is revamping its dealer network in Northwest and Central West Africa, with Machinery Distribution in Africa (MDA) and Movicortes taking over regions formerly served by SMT.

SMT will cease to represent Hitachi in the relevant markets by the end of 2026.

Under the new arrangement, MDA will be Hitachi's authorized construction equipment dealer in 13 countries: Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Chad, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea. MDA will provide equipment sales, parts, technical services, and aftermarket support in these areas.

Movicortes, currently a Hitachi dealer, will expand into 10 new markets: Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Liberia, Cape Verde, and São Tomé and Príncipe.

Hitachi is also adopting a more direct approach to the mining industry, building its own operations in Morocco and Mauritania. These facilities will provide direct assistance to mining clients, while Movicortes will continue to sell and service construction equipment in both nations.

The adjustments result in a considerable reworking of Hitachi's African distribution network. SMT has worked in a wide range of African markets and continues to be an active equipment distribution dealer based in Belgium.

Hitachi stated that it is working with SMT and incoming dealers to ensure continuity for current customers. The new agreement assigns MDA and Movicortes responsibility for 23 African markets, whilst Hitachi's direct mining presence in Morocco and Mauritania indicates a more hands-on approach to important mining clients in the area.