Grace Ashiru
Africar Group has launched Koto.rw, Rwanda’s first and only dedicated platform for comparing new car prices. The platform is the first of its kind in the country, offering a centralized resource for pricing data that did not previously exist in the Rwandan market.
The platform lists 10 car brands and over 40 models at launch, including Toyota, BYD, Volkswagen, Nissan and Mitsubishi. Buyers can compare pricing, specifications and features across brands from a single source, without visiting multiple dealerships.
Filling a gap in Rwanda’s car market
Until now, Rwanda had no dedicated tool for comparing new car prices. Buyers relied on dealer quotes with limited visibility into whether prices were competitive or fair. Benchmarking models across brands typically required visiting multiple showrooms, making it harder for consumers to make informed decisions.
Koto.rw changes that. The platform provides structured, verified pricing data designed to help consumers compare models, understand specifications and identify fair value before visiting a dealership.
The platform also targets businesses. SMEs and corporates managing fleet purchases can use the pricing data to optimize procurement and negotiate better terms with dealers.
“With Koto.rw, we are bringing price transparency to the new-car market in Rwanda,” said Ivan Ruzibiza, Africar country manager for Rwanda. “Buyers can now compare models and pricing easily, which builds trust and supports the development of a more structured and professional automotive sector in the country.”
What users can do on Koto.rw
The platform offers several tools for car buyers:
- Price comparison across brands and models
- Specification breakdowns for each vehicle
- Current dealer promotions and offers
- Electric vehicle listings with dedicated EV section
- Practical guides on financing, insurance, licensing and vehicle registration in Rwanda
- Driver reviews and community feedback on models
Users can filter searches by budget, brand, model and fuel type.
Expanding Africar Group’s Rwanda footprint
Koto.rw joins the group’s existing Rwanda ecosystem, which includes AUTO24.rw for certified used cars and AutoMag.rw for automotive news. Together, these platforms cover the full buyer journey from research to purchase to resale.
The launch follows Africar Group’s 2025 acquisition of Koto.ci, CĂ´te d’Ivoire’s leading new car price comparison platform. The company has since rolled out similar platforms in Senegal (Koto.sn) and South Africa (BuyNewCar.co.za), with Morocco confirmed as the next market.
Part of a continent-wide pricing transparency push
Africar Group says the expansion reflects a broader strategy to professionalize automotive markets across Africa through trusted, standardized data.
“After acquiring Koto.ci in 2025, we are expanding this model across Africa to bring greater transparency to new-car pricing and support the professionalization of automotive markets,” said Axel Peyrière, Africar Group co-founder and CEO.
The group is also active in electric mobility through EV24.africa, a platform dedicated to promoting electric vehicles across the continent.
About Africar Group
Africar Group is a pan-African automotive digital company. Its flagship platform, AUTO24.africa, backed by Stellantis, operates certified used car marketplaces across multiple African markets. The group manages over 70 platforms in 15 countries, reaching more than 15 million users annually.
