Tanzania imports 47,000 used cars from Japan in 2024. Kenya comes second in Africa with 39,000 units
Tanzania has ​so far imported 46,944 used cars from Japan​, according to industrial figures recorded between the months of January and August 2024.
Industrial research reports from Mordor, indicate that Tanzania is leading in Africa when it comes to buying the highest number of used cars from Japan. The country takes the third position globally to this effect.
In the month of August alone, for instance, Tanzania had imported 7,725 used cars from Japan, taking the third slot in the world after the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which ordered 16,284 units and Russia, buying 15,153 used cars from Japan.
In the first eight months between January and August 2024, Tanzania topped the bill in Africa with nearly 47,000 imported used vehicles from Japan, while Kenya came second with 38, 861 used cars imports.
Despite its thriving car manufacturing industry, South Africa still imported 33,900 used cars from Japan, in the first eight months of 2024 thus taking the third position on the continent.
Uganda imported 19,440 used vehicles from Japan, taking the fourth position in Africa, while DR Congo bought 14,224 cars, Zambia ordered 9,848 used cars and Zimbabwe received a shipment of 7,557 used Japanese vehicles in the first eight months of 2024.
The port of Dar-es-salaam handled the car imports for Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia.
Reports say, nearly 90 percent of all cars driven in Africa are second hand vehicles, mostly from Japanese manufacturers.
Africa continues to heavily rely on used cars from Japan with their demand on the continent continuing to grow over the years. Market observers believe that most residents have been opting for reliable and more affordable mode of transportation which only Japanese products can fulfill.
Business Insider Africa reports that while brand-new cars are seemingly out of reach for most people due to the high Import duties costs and taxes, used vehicles however; generally face lower duties, making them a more feasible option, particularly for first-time buyers or small businesses looking to acquire vehicles at a low cost.
On the other hand the Mordor Intelligence reports that Africa accounts for about 40 percent of imported used vehicle transitions.
African countries that have been found to drive this market include Nigeria, Libya, and Kenya.
The Intelligence report also notes that used vehicles make up a significant portion, accounting for 85 percent of the overall vehicle fleet in Africa.
In Africa, Tanzania emerged the top African country that imported the highest number of used Japanese cars during the eight months’ period of 2024, while other countries like Kenya, South Africa and Uganda trailed behind.
The Japanese used car market report showed that in August 2024, the UAE imported the highest number of used cars from Japan – 16,284 cars. Russia came in second place with 15,153 units while Tanzania came in third position with 7,725 units.