Please Wait.....
Report
Africa Used Car - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026 - 2031)
Market Report I 2026-02-09 I 150 Pages I Mordor Intelligence
Africa Used Car Market Analysis
The Africa used car market is expected to grow from USD 48.68 billion in 2025 to USD 49.71 billion in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 55.16 billion by 2031 at 2.11% CAGR over 2026-2031. Heightened affordability constraints, tighter import regulations, and a steady pivot toward digital retail channels define the growth path. South Africa remains the largest single geography, yet Uganda emerges as the fastest-growing market as regional trade pacts unlock cross-border vehicle flows. SUVs dominate volumes, digital pure-plays outpace all other sales formats, and organized vendors gradually erode informal trader dominance as institutional capital and professional management gain traction. Meanwhile, rising imports of Euro-spec hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) signal an early transition toward cleaner mobility options across key East African corridors.
Africa Used Car Market Trends and Insights
High Cost of New Cars and Affordability Gap
Only 2% of Nigeria's 180 million citizens could afford a new vehicle in 2024, underlining the affordability gulf that pushes consumers toward used imports. In Ethiopia, the tax framework takes a striking approach to vehicle regulation, imposing staggering duties that can soar up to 500% on older internal-combustion engine vehicles. In stark contrast, electric vehicles (EVs) enjoy a generous exemption from these hefty taxes, steering potential buyers toward either nearly new petrol and diesel models or fully electrified options that come without the burden of duty. This significant price gap creates a robust and sustained demand for the used car market across Africa, a trend expected to persist well into 2030 and beyond. The landscape of vehicle ownership is shifting dramatically, driven by these economic incentives and environmental considerations.
Expansion of Vehicle-financing Options
Regional lenders are filling a decades-long credit void by rolling out asset-backed loans for used purchases in Nigeria, Uganda, and Ghana, while South African banks now offer cross-border financing. The European Investment Bank estimates Africa needs USD 194 billion annually to meet SDGs, with monetary conditions easing through 2025, supporting loan availability . Uganda's currency has strengthened, and the easing of shilling lending rates has made it easier for businesses and consumers to afford mid-range imports. This favorable shift in the economic landscape opens up new opportunities for trade and purchasing power, allowing for a wider selection of goods to become accessible to the market.
Stringent Import-age and Emissions Rules
Kenya enforces an eight-year age cap and tighter 2025 emissions standards that lifted import prices 10-20% . Nigeria has increased tariffs, while Ghana has imposed restrictions on importing vehicles older than ten years. These regulatory shifts are creating a patchwork of rules that are pinching dealer margins tightly. Though policymakers are pursuing strategies to stimulate local vehicle assembly, the immediate consequence has been a constricted supply that dampens short-term growth in the used car market across Africa.
Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:
Growing Internet Penetration and Online ClassifiedsRapid Urbanization Driving Mobility DemandExport Bans in Source Countries
For complete list of drivers and restraints, kindly check the Table Of Contents.
Segment Analysis
SUVs and MUVs held 59.88% of the Africa used car market share in 2025 and will post a 4.64% CAGR to 2031. Robust ground clearance, flexible cargo capacity, and seven-seat configurations meet both urban commute and rural haulage demands. Sedans still claim volume in densely populated city centers where parking is tight, yet buyers are migrating to crossovers that combine sedan comfort with SUV utility.
Manufacturers are responding swiftly: Geely's Completely Knocked-Down plant in Egypt targets 30,000 Coolray SUVs annually, reflecting OEM conviction in sustained SUV appetite. Ride-hailing operators increasingly favor compact SUVs, citing higher earning potential than hatchbacks. Consequently, SUV residual values remain resilient, reinforcing their appeal to organized dealers who prioritize turnover speed and financing eligibility.
Petrol powertrains commanded 67.70% of the Africa used car market size in 2025, while hybrid and EV imports will expand at 10.82% CAGR through 2031. Diesel engines continue to assert their dominance among commercial operators, who appreciate their formidable torque and impressive fuel efficiency. However, these operators are now navigating an increasingly stringent landscape of emissions regulations that challenge their reliance on traditional diesel power.
The hybrid surge is policy-led: Ethiopia's ICE ban funnels duty-free electrified stock into Addis Ababa showrooms. Rwanda's zero-rate VAT on EVs and Morocco's USD-backed battery-assembly incentives compound momentum. Range anxiety persists due to sparse charging networks, yet informal solutions solar micro-grids at fuel stations, are proliferating and lowering early-adopter barriers.
The Africa Used Car Market Report is Segmented by Vehicle Type (Hatchbacks, Sedans, and More), Fuel Type (Petrol, Diesel, and More), Price Segment (Below USD 5, 500, USD 5, 500-10, 999, and More), Sales Channel (Online Digital Classified Portals, Pure-Play E-Retailers, and More), Vendor Type (Organized and Unorganized), Vehicle Age, and Country. The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).
List of Companies Covered in this Report:
Autochek Africa Erata Motors AutoTrader South Africa WeBuyCars (Pty) Ltd Westvaal Motors (PTY) Ltd CFAO Mobility South Africa KIFAL Auto Sylndr Peach Cars Carzami Inc. AutoTager Abdul Latif Jameel Motors Halfway Group (Hey Halfway) YallaMotor Cars 4 Africa Automark South Africa CMH Ford Southern Motor Holdings (PTY) Ltd (SMH Group) Global Cars Trading FZ LLC cars2africa Rola Motor Group AUTO24 CarMax East Africa Ltd Jiji Cars
Additional Benefits:
The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
3 months of analyst support
1 Introduction
1.1 Study Assumptions & Market Definition
1.2 Scope of the Study
2 Research Methodology
3 Executive Summary
4 Market Landscape
4.1 Market Overview
4.2 Market Drivers
4.2.1 High Cost of New Cars and Affordability Gap
4.2.2 Expansion of Vehicle-financing Options
4.2.3 Growing Internet Penetration and Online Classifieds
4.2.4 Rapid Urbanization Driving Mobility Demand
4.2.5 Influx of Euro-spec Hybrid/EV Used Cars
4.2.6 OEM-certified Pre-owned Programs
4.3 Market Restraints
4.3.1 Stringent Import-age and Emissions Rules
4.3.2 Export Bans in Source Countries
4.3.3 Margin Squeeze from Digital Price Transparency
4.3.4 Weak After-sales Service Network
4.4 Regulatory Landscape
4.5 Technological Outlook
4.6 Porter's Five Forces
4.6.1 Threat of New Entrants
4.6.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
4.6.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
4.6.4 Threat of Substitutes
4.6.5 Intensity of Rivalry
5 Market Size & Growth Forecasts (Value, USD)
5.1 By Vehicle Type
5.1.1 Hatchbacks
5.1.2 Sedans
5.1.3 SUVs and MUVs
5.2 By Fuel Type
5.2.1 Petrol
5.2.2 Diesel
5.2.3 Hybrid and Electric
5.2.4 Others (LPG, CNG, etc.)
5.3 By Price Segment
5.3.1 Below USD 5,500
5.3.2 USD 5,500 - 10,999
5.3.3 USD 11,000 - 21,999
5.3.4 ? USD 22,000
5.4 By Sales Channel
5.4.1 Online Digital Classified Portals
5.4.2 Pure-play e-Retailers
5.4.3 Dealer/OEM Online Platforms
5.4.4 Physical Franchise Dealerships
5.4.5 Independent Used-Car Lots
5.4.6 Auction Houses (Physical and Online Hybrid)
5.4.7 Peer-to-Peer (Private) Sales
5.5 By Vendor Type
5.5.1 Organized
5.5.2 Unorganized
5.6 By Vehicle Age
5.6.1 0 -2 Years
5.6.2 3-5 Years
5.6.3 6-8 Years
5.6.4 Above 8 Years
5.7 By Country
5.7.1 South Africa
5.7.2 Morocco
5.7.3 Algeria
5.7.4 Egypt
5.7.5 Nigeria
5.7.6 Ghana
5.7.7 Kenya
5.7.8 Ethiopia
5.7.9 Tanzania
5.7.10 Uganda
5.7.11 Rest of Africa
6 Competitive Landscape
6.1 Market Concentration
6.2 Strategic Moves
6.3 Market Share Analysis
6.4 Company Profiles (Includes Global Level Overview, Market Level Overview, Core Segments, Financials as Available, Strategic Information, Market Rank/Share for Key Companies, Products and Services, SWOT Analysis, and Recent Developments)
6.4.1 Autochek Africa
6.4.2 Erata Motors
6.4.3 AutoTrader South Africa
6.4.4 WeBuyCars (Pty) Ltd
6.4.5 Westvaal Motors (PTY) Ltd
6.4.6 CFAO Mobility South Africa
6.4.7 KIFAL Auto
6.4.8 Sylndr
6.4.9 Peach Cars
6.4.10 Carzami Inc.
6.4.11 AutoTager
6.4.12 Abdul Latif Jameel Motors
6.4.13 Halfway Group (Hey Halfway)
6.4.14 YallaMotor
6.4.15 Cars 4 Africa
6.4.16 Automark South Africa
6.4.17 CMH Ford
6.4.18 Southern Motor Holdings (PTY) Ltd (SMH Group)
6.4.19 Global Cars Trading FZ LLC
6.4.20 cars2africa
6.4.21 Rola Motor Group
6.4.22 AUTO24
6.4.23 CarMax East Africa Ltd
6.4.24 Jiji Cars
7 Market Opportunities & Future Outlook
7.1 White-space & Unmet-need Assessment
- Not Sure / Need Reassuring
- Confirm Content
-
Content is provided by our partners and every effort is made to make Market Report details as clear as possible. If you are not sure the exact content you require is included in this study you can Contact us to double check. To do this you can:
Use the ‘? ASK A QUESTION’ below the license / prices and to the right of this box. This will come directly to our team who will work on dealing with your request as soon as possible.
Write to directly on support@scotts-international.com with details. Please include as much information as possible including the name of report or link so our staff will be able to work on you request.
Telephone us directly on 0048 603 394 346 and an experienced member of team will be on hand to answer.
-
- Sample Pages
-
With the vast majority of our partners we can obtain Sample Pages to support your decision. This is something we can arrange without revealing your personal details.
It is important to note that we will not be able to provide you the exact data or statistics such as Market Size and Forecasts. Sample pages usually confirm the layout or the Categories included in Charts and Graphs, excluding specific data.
To ask for Sample Pages by contact us through ‘? ASK A QUESTION’, support@scotts-international.com, or by telephoning 0048 603 394 346.
-
- Check for Alternatives
-
Whilst we try to make our online platform as easy to use as possible there is always the possibility that a better alternative has not been found in your search.
To avoid this possibility Contact us through ‘? ASK A QUESTION’, support@scotts-international.com, or by telephoning 0048 603 394 346 and a Senior Team Member can review your requirements and send a list of possibilities with opinions and recommendations.
-
- Confirm Content
- Prices / Formats / Delivery
- Prices
-
All prices are set by our partners and should be exactly the same as those listed on their own websites. We work on a Revenue share basis ensuring that you never pay more than what is offered elsewhere.
Should you find the price cheaper on another platform we recommend you to Contact us as we should be able to match this price. You can Contact us though through ‘? ASK A QUESTION’, support@scotts-international.com, or by telephoning 0048 603 394 346.
-
- Discounts
-
As we work in close partnership with our Partners from time to time we can secure discounts and assist with negotiations, this is part of our personalised service to you.
Discounts can sometimes be arranged for speedily placed orders; multiple report purchases or Higher License purchases.
To check if a Discount is possible please Contact our experienced team through ‘? ASK A QUESTION’, support@scotts-international.com, or by telephoning 0048 603 394 346.
-
- Available Currencies
-
Most Market Reports on our platform are listed in USD or EURO based on the wishes of our Partners. To avoid currency fluctuations and potential price differentiations we do not offer the possibility to change the currency online.
Should you wish to pay in a different currency to that advertised online we do accept payments in USD, EURO, GBP and PLN. The price will be calculated based on the relevant exchange rate taken from our National Bank.
To pay in a different above currency to that advertised online please Contact our team and a quotation will be sent within a couple of hours with payment details.
-
- Licenses
-
License options vary from Partner to Partner as is usually based on the number of Users that will benefitting from the report. It is very important that License ordered is not breached as this could have potential negative consequences for you individually or your employer.
If you have questions or need confirmation about the specific license we recommend you to Contact us and a detailed explanation will be provided.
-
- Global Site License
-
The Global Site License is the most comprehensive license available. By selecting this license, the Market Report can be shared with other ‘Allowed Users’ and any other member of staff from the same organisation regardless of geographic location.
It is important to note that this may exclude Parent Companies or Subsidiaries.
If you have questions or need confirmation about the specific license we recommend you to Contact us and a detailed explanation will be provided.
-
- Formats
-
The most common format is PDF, however in certain circumstances data may be present in Excel format or Online, especially in the case of Database or Directories. In addition, for certain higher license options a CD may also be provided.
If you have questions or need clarification about the specific formats we recommend you to Contact us and a detailed explanation will be provided.
-
- Delivery
-
Delivery is fulfilled by our partners directly. Once an order has been placed we inform the partner by sharing the delivery email details given in the order process.
Delivery is usually made within 24 hours of an order being placed, however it may take longer should your order be placed prior to the weekend or if otherwise specified on the Market Report details page. Additionally, if details have been not fully completed in the Order process a delay in delivery is possible.
If a delay in delivery is expected you will be informed about it immediately.
-
- Shipping Charges
-
As most Market Reports are delivered in PDF format we almost never have to add additional Shipping Charges. If, however you are ordering a Higher License service or a specific delivery format (e.g. CD version) charges may apply.
If you are concerned about additional Shipping Charges we recommend you to Contact us to double check.
-
- Prices
- Ordering
- By Credit Card
-
We work in Partnership with PayU to ensure payments are made securely in a fast and effortless way. PayU is the e-payments division of Naspers.
Naspers operates in over 133 International Markets and ranks 3rd Globally in terms of the number of e-commerce customers served.
For more information on PayU please visit: https://www.payu.pl/en/about-us
-
- By Money Transfer
-
If you require an invoice prior to payment, this is possible. To ensure a speedy delivery of the Market Report we require all relevant company details and you agree to maximum payment terms of 30 days from receipt of order.
With our regular clients deliver of the Market Report can be made prior to receiving payment, however in some circumstances we may ask for payment to be received before arranging for the Market Report to be delivered.
-
- By Credit Card
- Security
- Website security
-
We have specifically partnered with leading International companies to protect your privacy by using different technologies and processes to ensure security.
Everything submitted to Scotts International is encrypted via SSL (Secure Socket Layer) and all personal information provided to Scotts International is stored on computer systems with limited access in controlled environments.
-
- Credit Card Security
-
We partner with PayU (https://www.payu.pl/en/about-us) to ensure all credit card payments are made securely in a fast and effortless way.
PayU offers 250+ various payment channels and eWallet services across 4 continents allowing buyers to pay electronically, whether on a computer or a mobile device.
-
- Website security