Hitachi Restructured Dealership Network in Africa
Construction equipment owners in West and Central Africa will see changes to dealer support networks by late 2026.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Buying/Selling
Live Poll
Do you believe changing authorized equipment dealers typically improves support services for local customers?
Hitachi Construction Machinery Europe has reorganized its authorized dealership network across West and Central Africa. This transition marks the end of SMT's role as an authorized dealer in these regions by the end of 2026.
Why it matters
The change redefines the support infrastructure for construction equipment operators in the region, shifting service and parts distribution responsibilities to new partners. These adjustments impact how fleet owners manage aftermarket support and equipment procurement.
MDA has been named the new authorized dealer for 13 African nations, while Movicortes is expanding its territory to include 10 additional countries. SMT will conclude its official dealership operations at the end of 2026.
The players
Hitachi Construction Machinery Europe
A subsidiary of the global manufacturer specializing in heavy machinery for construction and mining industries.
SMT
An international equipment distributor that has served as an authorized Hitachi dealer in the region.
MDA
A construction equipment dealer appointed to manage sales and technical support across 13 African nations.
Movicortes
A dealership entity that has expanded its territory reach to include 10 additional countries.
The details
Hitachi Construction Machinery Europe is coordinating with outgoing and incoming partners to hand over responsibilities for sales, aftermarket support, and technical services. Concurrently, Hitachi will transition to a direct-management model for mining customers in Morocco and Mauritania. This dual-track approach aims to align regional equipment support with the specific requirements of both standard construction and specialized mining sectors.
Timeline
SMT will cease its role as an authorized Hitachi dealer at the end of 2026.
The Home Front
This transition follows a pattern set by global heavy equipment manufacturers consolidating regional support networks to improve technical service delivery. It reflects a broader industry movement toward centralized dealership control in emerging construction and mining markets.
Owners should confirm their current equipment warranty and service agreements with SMT to understand if future support will be transitioned to MDA or Movicortes. If you operate machinery in Morocco or Mauritania, check for updates regarding direct manufacturer-managed mining support.
The takeaway
Reliable maintenance relies on knowing your authorized point of contact for parts and technical repairs. Before the end of 2026, verify which dealer will hold the service contract for your specific region and equipment model.
Further reading
For more on managing equipment fleet transitions, visit Buying/Selling.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Construction Briefing.
Live Poll
Do you believe changing authorized equipment dealers typically improves support services for local customers?
