Tanzania Used Car Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

Tanzania Used Car Market is Segmented by Vehicle Type (Hatchbacks, Sedans, and Sports Utility Vehicles/Multi-Purpose Vehicles), Vendor Type (Organized and Unorganized), Fuel Type (Petrol, Diesel, Electric, and Other Fuel Types (LPG, CNG, Etc. )), and Sales Channel (Online and Offline). The Report Offers the Market Size and Forecast in Value (USD) for all the Above Segments.

Tanzania Used Car Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

Tanzania Used Car Market Size

Tanzania Used Car Market Summary
Study Period 2019 - 2030
Base Year For Estimation 2024
Forecast Data Period 2025 - 2030
Market Size (2025) USD 41.45 Million
Market Size (2030) USD 59.92 Million
CAGR (2025 - 2030) 7.65 %
Market Concentration Medium

Major Players

Tanzania Used Car Market Major Players

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Compare market size and growth of Tanzania Used Car Market with other markets in Automotive Industry

Automotive Materials & Coatings

Automotive Technology

Vehicles

Automotive Services

Auto Parts

Automotive Equipment

Tanzania Used Car Market Analysis

The Tanzania Used Car Market size is estimated at USD 41.45 million in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 59.92 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 7.65% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

Consumers' increasing preference towards availing imported used cars from Japan, the emergence of online auto platforms, and low demand for new vehicles owing to their higher prices serve as the major determinants for the growth of the used car market in Tanzania.

The market for new passenger cars in Tanzania is relatively smaller, with only 2,000-3,000 units being sold annually on average. In 2022, it was estimated that only 3,153 units of new vehicles were sold in Tanzania.

The low demand for new cars is attributed to the higher price of these vehicles, which customers cannot afford, and therefore, prefer availing imported used cars, especially from Japan. Further, consumers' growing concerns about the increasing unemployment rate (as a % of the labor force), which rose to 2.8% in 2022 compared to 2.7% in 2021, negatively impact the purchasing power of consumers, thereby acting as a catalyst for the falling demand for new cars in Tanzania.

One of the major challenges faced by the used car market is the increasing fuel prices across Tanzania, attributed to the removal of fuel subsidies, changing oil prices in the global market, and devaluation of Tanzanian shilling against US dollars.

According to Tanzania's Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA), the cost of fuel increased by at least 17% in August 2023 compared to the previous month. A liter of petrol in the country's commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, was retailing at Tsh 3,199 (USD 1.30) in August 2023 from Tsh 2,736 (USD 1.11) the previous month.

A liter of diesel in August 2023 was priced at Tsh 2,935 (USD 1.20) from Tsh 2,544 (USD 1.04) in July 2023. Increasing fuel prices negatively impact the demand for availing private transportation mediums. As the Tanzanian passenger car market is dominated by the used car sector, a rapid surge in fuel prices might potentially deter these customers from purchasing used cars.

The government's aggressive strategy to promote the electrification of vehicle fleets to promote the reduction in carbon emissions will aid the demand for used cars across Tanzania during the forecast period. Consumers who are willing to purchase cheaper alternatives to new-energy vehicles are increasingly adopting the purchase of used vehicles for convenience in mobility. For instance, in April 2023, the government of Tanzania reaffirmed its support to promote e-investments in the mobility sector and enhance electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the country. 

According to UN-Habitat & the Urban Electric Mobility Initiative (UEMI), the electric vehicle parc in Tanzania touched 5,000 units as of April 2023, the highest in the East-African region. Even with the aggressive stance of the Tanzanian government to promote the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), the higher cost of electric vehicles adds to the financial burden of the consumer attributed to its high battery cost, thereby, in turn, making the consumers opt for used cars in the coming years.

Tanzania Used Car Industry Overview

The market is moderately fragmented and competitive, with the presence of various online used car platforms and international used car dealerships operating across Tanzania. Some of the major players include SBT Japan, Be Forward, Enhance Auto, CarTanzania, UsedCars.co.tz, Jiji, Garipesa, Car Junction Tanzania, and Bizupon, among others.

These players compete based on various parameters such as used car prices, online presence, value-added offerings such as warranty and financing options, commissions charged, number of listings on their platform, and ready information available on their website about the performance and the condition of used vehicles, among others. Various companies operating in the ecosystem are actively engaging in enhancing their brand presence by forming partnerships to expand their business capability across Tanzania. For instance,

In October 2021, SBT Co., Ltd, a trading company specializing in the export of new and used vehicles from Japan to more than 150 countries, including Tanzania, announced a partnership with NTT Communications Corporation to initiate conducting a trial of a solution that allows prices and settlement details to be displayed in local currencies at guaranteed rates of exchange on SBT's cross-border e-commerce site.

In March 2021, SBI Motor Japan, a Japanese-based used and new car dealership company, established its first office in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and initiated the process of taking applications for new partnerships in the East African region.

Tanzania Used Car Market Leaders

  1. SBT Japan

  2. Be Forward

  3. Enhance Auto

  4. CarTanzania

  5. UsedCars.co.tz

  6. *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Tanzania Used Car Market.png
Need More Details on Market Players and Competiters?
Download PDF

Tanzania Used Car Market News

  • November 2022: The Dar Es Salaam port in Tanzania witnessed a remarkable annual increase of 316% in the importation of both new and used vehicles by Zimbabweans in 2022, compared to the figures recorded in 2016. As of November 2022, it was estimated that approximately 15,000 vehicles were being imported annually by Zimbabweans through this port, a significant surge from the mere 3,600 vehicles in 2016. This substantial shift in preference towards Dar Es Salaam port for shipments by Zimbabwe's used car dealers can be attributed to challenges in the South African ports' logistical operations.
  • June 2021: SBT Japan, a prominent Japanese-based online platform specializing in used cars operating in Tanzania, announced its strategic plan to incorporate the consumer-to-consumer (C2C) segment into its existing market structure. Prior to this, SBT Japan had successfully established a strong presence in both the business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) used car markets, creating a globally interconnected platform for used car exports.

Tanzania Used Car Market Report - Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

  • 1.1 Study Assumptions
  • 1.2 Scope of the Study

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4. MARKET DYNAMICS

  • 4.1 Market Drivers
    • 4.1.1 Rising Adoption of Digital Technologies
  • 4.2 Market Restraints
    • 4.2.1 Increasing Fuel Prices to Hinder the Demand for Used Cars
  • 4.3 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Forces Analysis
    • 4.3.1 Threat of New Entrants
    • 4.3.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
    • 4.3.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
    • 4.3.4 Threat of Substitute Products
    • 4.3.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

5. MARKET SEGMENTATION (Market Size in Value - USD)

  • 5.1 By Vehicle Type
    • 5.1.1 Hatchbacks
    • 5.1.2 Sedans
    • 5.1.3 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs)/Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPVs)
  • 5.2 By Vendor Type
    • 5.2.1 Organized
    • 5.2.2 Unorganized
  • 5.3 By Fuel Type
    • 5.3.1 Petrol
    • 5.3.2 Diesel
    • 5.3.3 Electric
    • 5.3.4 Other Fuel Types (LPG, CNG, etc.)
  • 5.4 By Sales Channel
    • 5.4.1 Online
    • 5.4.2 Offline

6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

  • 6.1 Vendor Market Share
  • 6.2 Company Profiles*
    • 6.2.1 CarTanzania
    • 6.2.2 UsedCars.co.tz
    • 6.2.3 Enhance Auto
    • 6.2.4 SBT Japan
    • 6.2.5 Be Forward
    • 6.2.6 Jiji
    • 6.2.7 Garipesa
    • 6.2.8 Car Junction Tanzania
    • 6.2.9 Bizupon
    • 6.2.10 Autorod
    • 6.2.11 Jan Japan
    • 6.2.12 SBI Motor Japan

7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS

  • 7.1 Improved Focus on Extending Value-Added Services such as Used Car Financing and Insurance Options
You Can Purchase Parts Of This Report. Check Out Prices For Specific Sections
Get Price Break-up Now

Tanzania Used Car Industry Segmentation

A used car/pre-owned vehicle, or a secondhand car, is a vehicle that previously had one or more retail owners. A certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle, on the other hand, is a pre-owned vehicle that has been extensively inspected (pre-purchase inspection) and expertly reconditioned. The Used Car Market consists of a wide range of companies involved in the purchasing and selling of pre-owned vehicles through online or offline sales channels.

The Tanzania used car market is segmented by vehicle type, vendor type, fuel type, and sales channel. By vehicle type, the market is segmented into hatchbacks, sedans, and sports utility vehicles (SUVs)/multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs). By vendor type, the market is segmented into organized and unorganized. By fuel type, the market is segmented into petrol, diesel, electric, and others (liquefied petroleum gas, compressed natural gas, etc.). By sales channel, the market is segmented into online and offline.

 The report offers market size and forecast value (USD) for all the above segments.

By Vehicle Type Hatchbacks
Sedans
Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs)/Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPVs)
By Vendor Type Organized
Unorganized
By Fuel Type Petrol
Diesel
Electric
Other Fuel Types (LPG, CNG, etc.)
By Sales Channel Online
Offline
Need A Different Region or Segment?
Customize Now

Tanzania Used Car Market Research Faqs

How big is the Tanzania Used Car Market?

The Tanzania Used Car Market size is expected to reach USD 41.45 million in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 7.65% to reach USD 59.92 million by 2030.

What is the current Tanzania Used Car Market size?

In 2025, the Tanzania Used Car Market size is expected to reach USD 41.45 million.

Who are the key players in Tanzania Used Car Market?

SBT Japan, Be Forward, Enhance Auto, CarTanzania and UsedCars.co.tz are the major companies operating in the Tanzania Used Car Market.

What years does this Tanzania Used Car Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?

In 2024, the Tanzania Used Car Market size was estimated at USD 38.28 million. The report covers the Tanzania Used Car Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Tanzania Used Car Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.

Tanzania Used Car Industry Report

Statistics for the 2025 Tanzania Used Car market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Tanzania Used Car analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.

Tanzania Used Car Market Report Snapshots