Quick Summary:
- Peach Cars secured $11 million Series A funding led by Suzuki Global Ventures and Japan Bank for International Cooperation.
- The startup operates a full-stack digital marketplace offering vehicle inspections, financing, logistics, and after-sales services.
- Peach is building an “infrastructure of trust” to improve transparency and reliability in Africa’s used car market.
- The company plans to expand across East Africa, grow its product teams, and introduce logistics and parts procurement services.
In many parts of Africa, buying a used car is a risky gamble. Hidden costs, inconsistent vehicle quality, and a lack of trustworthy intermediaries make it one of the most stressful financial decisions for consumers. But a new wave of startups is transforming this experience—led by Kenya’s Peach Cars, a Tokyo-backed company using technology to rebuild trust in informal markets.
Building an “Infrastructure of Trust”
Peach Cars recently secured $11 million in Series A funding, led by Suzuki Global Ventures. Other participants include Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Gogin Capital, and a follow-on investment from University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners (UTEC). With this capital, Peach is scaling its operations across East Africa and positioning itself as more than just a car sales platform—it’s creating what it calls an infrastructure of trust for Africa’s automotive industry.
A Full-Stack Digital Marketplace
Founded in 2020 by Kaoru Kaganoi and Zachary Petroni, Peach Cars operates a comprehensive digital marketplace that connects used car buyers and sellers directly. The platform offers clear visibility into vehicle quality, financing options, and after-sales services.
At the core of Peach’s offering is its proprietary 225-point vehicle inspection system, modeled on rigorous Japanese automotive standards. This system integrates real-time appraisal and credit scoring tools, transforming what is typically an opaque, offline process into a transparent, data-driven transaction.
Beyond Car Sales: A Lifecycle Platform
Peach Cars is not just a digital showroom—it’s building an end-to-end vehicle ownership platform. The company’s long-term vision includes inspection, financing, logistics, maintenance, parts procurement, and more.
With over 80% of used cars in the region being Japanese imports, Peach provides much-needed verification and secure handovers that are often missing in informal markets. Instead of functioning like a simple classifieds site, Peach Cars is becoming the digital backbone of a growing automotive ecosystem.
A Mission Rooted in Dignity and Accountability
Peach’s mission extends beyond improving the buying process. According to co-founder Kaoru Kaganoi, it’s about challenging the status quo.
“We’re not just improving how cars are sold—we’re challenging the assumption that African consumers should settle for less,” Kaganoi said. “This is about dignity, accountability, and transforming everyday commerce through trust.”
Japan’s Strategic Move into African Mobility
This funding round is significant not only for its size—one of the largest Series A rounds in African mobility—but also for its strategic alignment with Japan’s broader automotive ambitions.
Suzuki, which dominates India’s car market, is eyeing Africa as its next major frontier. For JBIC, Peach Cars marks its first-ever African startup investment, signaling Japan’s growing interest in supporting localized solutions for real-world problems in emerging markets.
Built for Africa, Engineered for the World
Peach’s success so far is rooted in deep local knowledge. Both Kaganoi and Petroni have spent years navigating Africa’s mobility landscape, giving them firsthand insight into the systemic challenges—from pricing uncertainty to financing barriers—that slow down used car sales. Their solution is tailor-made for African markets but meets global standards of engineering, safety, and compliance.
Growth Plans and Market Opportunity
Peach Cars is already generating revenue through commissions, inspection fees, ownership transfers, embedded auto loans, and logistics services. With the new funding, the company plans to:
- Expand inspection hubs beyond Nairobi
- Grow its engineering and product teams
- Build logistics and parts procurement services
The company is positioning itself to support Africa’s rising demand for cars, driven by urbanization and a growing middle class.
Redefining Trust in Africa’s Used Car Market
As more investors focus on Africa’s evolving mobility sector, Peach Cars is proving that long-term trust can outperform quick fixes. Its tech-driven, values-based approach is setting a new standard for used car sales in the region.
If Peach Cars succeeds, it won’t just transform car buying in Africa—it could help reshape how digital infrastructure is built across emerging markets.