Cars Kenya has joined forces with Absa Bank Kenya and Shekel Mobility to create a more coordinated vehicle import and financing process for eligible buyers. The arrangement brings together overseas vehicle sourcing, shipping, customs clearance, local registration and asset financing to help customers navigate the various stages of importing a vehicle into Kenya.
Each partner will contribute a specific capability. Cars Kenya will handle vehicle sourcing and import coordination, Shekel Mobility will provide the supporting technology, and Absa Bank Kenya will manage the financing process, including credit assessment and the fulfilment of applicable approval and disbursement requirements.
Absa will complete the asset financing process once customers meet the bank’s conditions, including vehicle registration and all applicable disbursement requirements.
Bringing Vehicle Importation and Financing Closer Together
Importing a vehicle from another country requires buyers to manage several interconnected steps. These include identifying a suitable vehicle, arranging international transport, meeting customs requirements and completing registration in Kenya. Buyers must also understand how and when financing will be available to cover the purchase.
By bringing these services together, the partnership aims to provide a more organised process and help customers understand the requirements involved before committing to an import.
Cars Kenya Managing Director Sammy Wanjema said the collaboration is intended to reduce the difficulties customers can encounter when purchasing vehicles from Japan.
“Importing a vehicle should be an exciting step towards ownership, not a confusing journey through disconnected processes. Through our collaboration with Shekel Mobility and Absa Bank, we are working to give qualifying customers a more coordinated route to purchasing vehicles from Japan, with sourcing, importation and financing considered together from the beginning,” Wanjema said.
He also highlighted the importance of transparency for buyers undertaking a significant financial commitment.
“We understand that buying a car is a significant financial commitment, and we want customers to have greater clarity over the process, the costs involved and the requirements they must meet before proceeding,” he said.
The integrated approach is intended to help prospective buyers understand the relationship between vehicle procurement, import procedures and financing. However, customers will still need to establish their eligibility and meet the applicable requirements at each stage.
Absa Connects Vehicle Imports with Asset Financing
For Absa Bank Kenya, the collaboration links the vehicle import process with its asset financing services while retaining the bank’s credit assessment and lending controls.
Absa Bank Kenya Business Banking Director Renato D’souza said the initiative is designed to make vehicle financing more accessible through a coordinated arrangement.
“Through this partnership, we are expanding access to vehicle financing by connecting the importation process with asset finance through a structured arrangement,” D’souza said.
He noted that financing solutions must support customers’ goals while ensuring that lending decisions remain responsible.
“At Absa, we are committed to providing financing solutions that support our customers’ ambitions while maintaining responsible lending standards. Our focus is on ensuring that qualifying customers have the information and support they need to make informed vehicle financing decisions,” he said.
The bank will continue to assess applications against its lending criteria. Approval is not automatic, and the completion of financing will depend on the relevant credit decision, documentation, product terms and disbursement conditions.
For buyers, understanding these requirements early is important when planning the overall cost and timing of an imported vehicle purchase.
Premium Clients Could Qualify for Full Financing
The partnership provides for eligible Absa premium clients to access vehicle financing of up to 100%, subject to the bank’s assessment, the value of the vehicle and the conditions governing the applicable financing product.
The maximum financing level does not mean that every applicant will receive full funding. The amount approved will depend on the bank’s evaluation of each application and the terms that apply to the transaction.
The arrangement also seeks to improve coordination for participating dealers by linking overseas vehicle procurement with the financing process and eventual delivery to customers. Bringing these activities into a more structured framework may help dealers manage transactions more effectively, although individual imports will remain subject to the necessary procedures and approvals.
What the Partnership Means for Kenya’s Vehicle Import Market
The collaboration combines vehicle sourcing, import logistics, technology and banking services to address different aspects of the vehicle import process. For customers importing vehicles from Japan, the intended advantage is a clearer route through the administrative, logistical and financial steps involved in bringing a vehicle into Kenya.
Participating dealers may also benefit from a more coordinated way of managing vehicle orders, importation and customer financing before delivery.
By connecting these services, Cars Kenya, Shekel Mobility and Absa Bank Kenya aim to simplify the experience for qualifying buyers without removing the checks required for vehicle importation or bank lending.
The practical value of the arrangement will depend on how effectively the partners coordinate their respective responsibilities and communicate costs, processing timelines, eligibility criteria and financing conditions. Prospective buyers should therefore confirm the full cost of importation, the applicable financing terms and the requirements for approval before making a financial commitment.
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