Africa's Booming Secondhand Car Market Set to Double, Fueling Mobility and Concerns

Africa's automotive landscape is being reshaped not by shiny new models, but by a flood of imported used cars. A new projection indicates the continent's secondhand vehicle market will grow at a compound annual rate of nearly 7%, ballooning to almost $200 billion by the end of the next decade. This growth cements the dominance of affordable, pre-owned vehicles in meeting Africa's urgent mobility needs for the foreseeable future.

The continent is already the world's largest importer of used light-duty vehicles. Major exporters include Japan, the European Union, the United States, and South Korea. The scale of this trade is illustrated by companies like Japan's Be Forward, which, while little-known domestically, has built a formidable network across more than 50 African nations. "We're given VIP treatment in many markets," the company's president told Nikkei. On the ground, Japanese brands like Toyota, Nissan, Honda, and Mitsubishi are the most common sights on African roads, according to industry data from Bizupon.

Yet this economic opportunity rides alongside significant challenges. The influx of older vehicles has long sparked debates over safety and environmental impact. Initiatives like the United Nations' "Safer and Cleaner Used Vehicles for Africa" are pushing for the adoption of minimum standards. The urgency is clear: Africa suffers the world's highest road traffic fatality rate, a grim statistic despite accounting for only about 2% of global vehicles. Analysts say balancing market growth with regulatory frameworks will be a key test for governments and industry stakeholders.

David Okoro, Logistics Manager, Lagos: "This growth is inevitable and necessary. For millions of small business owners and families, a reliable used car is the first step out of poverty. It connects people to jobs, markets, and schools. Regulations are important, but they must not price mobility out of reach."

Sarah Chen, Sustainability Analyst, Nairobi: "While boosting economic activity, this trend locks Africa into a cycle of high emissions and pollution. We're becoming the dumping ground for the Global North's outdated technology. Where is the parallel investment in public transport or EV infrastructure?"

Amara Keita, University Student, Accra: "It's a double-edged sword. I'm saving for a used car because the buses are unreliable. But I also worry about the air we breathe. The government should at least ensure basic safety checks—so many cars on the road are literally falling apart."

Marcus van der Merwe, Import Dealer, Durban: "The UN standards are a Western solution to an African problem. They don't understand the reality here. A 10-year-old Corolla that runs is a lifeline. Banning older imports will just create a black market and hurt the very people they claim to protect."