Absa Bank Kenya has struck a strategic deal with World Navi, a Japan-based global vehicle exporter, to transform the way Kenyans import vehicles. The partnership merges trusted vehicle sourcing with structured asset-based financing, creating a single, streamlined pathway from a Japanese showroom to a Nairobi driveway.
The collaboration addresses long-standing pain points in the vehicle import market, prohibitive upfront costs, opaque shipping fees, and drawn-out delivery timelines, that have historically made direct imports accessible only to the well-capitalised few.
“A growing number of Kenyans are opting to import vehicles directly from Japan due to the availability of high-quality units, competitive pricing, and a wider range of models. However, the process has traditionally been complex.” said Renato D’souza, Business Banking Director, Absa Bank Kenya.
Under the arrangement, customers can source a vehicle through World Navi and simultaneously unlock financing from Absa to cover both the vehicle cost and shipping charges, preserving working capital while still securing the car or fleet they need.
Absa’s Asset-Based Finance (ABF) offers attractive financing options, including: Up to 95% financing on general motor vehicle units, and 90% financing on Chinese/Indian models. It also offers 100% loan-to-value (LTV) financing for personal units valued below KES 6 million, payable over up to 72 months and financing limits of up to KES 10 million for school buses.
Repayment terms extend up to 72 months, and bundled insurance premium financing is available without facility fees. Customers also unlock an additional 10% working capital facility, giving businesses room to grow beyond the vehicle purchase itself.
“This partnership sets a new standard for the industry by integrating financing and supply into one streamlined solution that prioritises reliability, transparency, and value.” said Yoshifumi Sawada, Managing Director, World Navi Co. Ltd
Quality assurance is built into the process from the start. Vehicles undergo physical inspections by Japanese engineers, with certified mileage and accident-free status confirmed before shipment. Buyers receive a 90-day warranty on engine and transmission, priority shipping, and VVIP handling through to delivery — including a full tank of fuel on handover. On the Kenyan side, local support teams in Nairobi and Mombasa manage clearing, logistics, and last-mile delivery.
The deal deepens Absa’s position as a leading provider of asset-based finance in East Africa and signals a broader industry shift: as demand for imported vehicles rises, the era of fragmented, high-friction import processes may finally be drawing to a close
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