AfriCar Group, backed by Stellantis, has acquired Koto.ci, Côte d’Ivoire’s first new car comparison platform. The deal, announced in August 2025, expands AfriCar’s growing suite of digital automotive services across Africa. While terms were not disclosed, the move reinforces AfriCar’s ambition to build a 360-degree digital ecosystem serving car buyers and sellers at every stage of ownership.
Expanding AfriCar’s Reach
With the addition of Koto.ci, AfriCar now operates more than 70 sites across 15 African countries, including marketplaces, content platforms, and certified used-car services. Its portfolio includes Auto24.Africa, Voitures.ci, and media brands like AutoMag.ci, AutoMag.sn, AutoActu.ma, AutoMag.rw, and IMotoNews.co.za. Together, these platforms attract more than 15 million annual users, making AfriCar the most widely reached automotive service in Africa.
Why Koto.ci Matters
Founded by Moroccan technologist Abdessamad Misbah, Koto.ci has become Côte d’Ivoire’s most trusted reference point for new car prices. The site provides transparency in a market where reliable price comparisons are scarce, helping buyers make informed decisions. AfriCar plans to integrate this functionality into its broader platform, strengthening its reputation as Africa’s only pan-continental, tech-enabled mobility service.
Strategic Fit With Auto24
AfriCar already operates Auto24.ci and Voitures.ci in Côte d’Ivoire, covering certified used cars and a general auto marketplace. By adding Koto.ci’s new car pricing services, AfriCar completes the buyer’s journey from research to purchase. The group also plans to replicate this integrated model across other Auto24 markets, including Morocco, Senegal, Rwanda, and South Africa.
Accelerating EV Adoption
Koto.ci’s integration is expected to support AfriCar’s EV24.Africa initiative, launched in partnership with Auto24.Africa. EV24 has already delivered its first batch of electric vehicles to customers in ten African countries, with ambitions to accelerate adoption continent-wide. “Koto.ci is more than a price reference tool — it is a strategic initiative designed in Africa to serve Africa’s mobility aspirations,” said AfriCar’s chief development officer Alexandre Allanic.
Growth Targets and Acquisitions
AfriCar has been actively consolidating Africa’s fragmented automotive marketplace. Last year, its Auto24.Africa unit acquired Tanzania’s Kupatana.com, expanding its reach in East Africa. CEO Axel Peyriere has set an ambitious target of selling 100,000 cars annually by 2030, compared to the current 8,000 to 10,000 units per year.
Investor Backing and Ownership
AfriCar Group is majority owned by Emerging Classifieds Ventures, an Australia-based marketplaces operator. Backing from Stellantis, one of the world’s largest automakers, provides AfriCar with both credibility and strategic support as it expands its digital footprint. The group’s multi-market strategy highlights how global capital is being channeled into Africa’s growing auto industry.
Market Opportunity in Africa
Africa’s car market remains underdeveloped, with low vehicle penetration but strong growth potential driven by urbanisation and rising incomes. Transparent platforms like Koto.ci help reduce friction in buying decisions, encouraging consumers to upgrade from informal transactions to more structured marketplaces. AfriCar’s model seeks to capture this transition by combining inventory, pricing, financing, and insurance into a unified ecosystem.
Leadership Perspectives
Commenting on the deal, Peyriere said: “We aim to support African car buyers throughout their entire journey — from research and comparison, to buying, financing, insuring, and now having full visibility on new car prices.” Allanic added that Koto.ci would play a “key role in accelerating EV adoption” across Africa through EV24.Africa. Their statements underscore AfriCar’s dual strategy of expanding core services while positioning itself for the electric mobility transition.
By acquiring Koto.ci, AfriCar Group has strengthened its position as Africa’s leading automotive digital platform. The integration brings transparency to new car pricing, complements existing used-car and marketplace services, and supports the rollout of electric vehicles through EV24. As AfriCar expands across the continent, its ecosystem approach could redefine how millions of Africans buy, sell, and finance cars in the coming decade.