Question 1

How does the vehicle title transfer (Libre transfer) work in Ethiopia?

Accepted Answer

Draft a formal sales agreement contract specifying the exact vehicle details (Make, Model, Year, VIN/Chassis Number, Engine Number, Plate Number, and Agreed Price). Both buyer and seller must visit the Document Authentication and Registration Agency (DARS / የሰነዶች ማረጋገጫና ምዝገባ ኤጀንሲ) in person with original Kebele IDs/passports and the original Libre (Vehicle Title Certificate). At DARS, authenticate the sales contract before an officer, sign the transfer documents, and pay the notarization service fees. Obtain Tax Clearance from the Ministry of Revenues / local revenue authority confirming no outstanding taxes, unpaid duties, or penalties on the vehicle. Take the authenticated contract, tax clearance, original Libre, and vehicle inspection report to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing and Inspection Authority (Transport Authority / የትራንስፖርት ባለስልጣን). Pay the title transfer fee, stamp duty, and complete the physical inspection (Bolo). The Transport Authority will update the national registry and print the new Libre in the buyer’s name.

Question 2

What documents should I verify before buying a used car in Ethiopia?

Accepted Answer

Original Libre (Title Certificate): Confirm the seller’s name matches the owner named on the Libre, or verify that they hold an active, legally authenticated Power of Attorney (ውክልና). Chassis & Engine Numbers: Physically compare the VIN stamped on the car’s chassis and engine block against the Libre to guarantee zero discrepancies or signs of tampering. Bank Collateral / Lien Status: Request confirmation from the Transport Authority or bank to ensure the vehicle is not held as loan collateral (የባንክ ዕዳ የሌለበት). Customs Duty Clearance: If the car was imported duty-free (ቀረጥ ነጻ), verify that the statutory duty restriction period has lapsed or that full duties have been settled. Annual Inspection (Bolo) & Insurance: Check that the annual technical inspection (Bolo) sticker and third-party insurance certificate are up to date.

Question 3

How do I search for, inspect, and buy a car on AfroMekina?

Accepted Answer

Search & Filter: Use the search page or homepage filters to narrow down vehicles by brand, model, price band, transmission, fuel type, and condition (new or used). Review Listing Details: Click any vehicle card to review high-resolution photos, detailed specifications, seller location, and listed price. Contact the Seller: Click "Call" to phone the seller directly, or click "Chat" to message them within the secure AfroMekina messenger. Schedule a Physical Daylight Inspection: Never purchase sight unseen. Meet in a safe, public daytime location and bring an experienced mechanic or book AfroMekina's pre-purchase inspection. Negotiate & Finalize: Agree on the final price and proceed to legal contract authentication at DARS.

Question 4

What should I do if I can’t find the specific car I want?

Accepted Answer

Open the "Looking for a car?" (Wanted Cars) feature located on the homepage or navigation menu. Submit your target vehicle details: Make, Model, Year range, preferred Transmission, Fuel type, and your maximum Budget in Ethiopian Birr (ETB). Provide your phone number so our dedicated concierge sourcing team can contact you. Our team combs verified dealer inventories and incoming broker listings across Ethiopia to find a matching car and alerts you as soon as one is available.

Question 5

Why should I NEVER send an advance deposit or booking fee?

Accepted Answer

Rule #1: NEVER transfer money via Telebirr, CBE, or any mobile bank for an "advance booking fee," "gas money," or "holding deposit" before seeing the vehicle in person. Scammers often post vehicles at unusually low prices (e.g. 30% below market value) and urge buyers to send an immediate deposit claiming another buyer is on their way. Legitimate sellers in Ethiopia will always allow you to view the vehicle, inspect its documents, and meet face-to-face before requesting any payment. AfroMekina staff will NEVER call or message you asking for reservation fees, bank credentials, or OTP codes.

Question 6

What are the safety guidelines when meeting a seller or buyer?

Accepted Answer

Choose a Public, Busy Location: Meet at well-lit, public locations such as shopping mall parking areas, verified bank branches, or certified automotive workshops. Bring a Companion: Always bring a friend, family member, or a qualified automotive technician with you. Daylight Inspection Only: Inspect the car in broad daylight. Flaws, body repainting, panel alignment discrepancies, and oil leaks are easily masked in dim lighting or rain. Safe Test Driving: Before test driving, inspect the driver’s ID and ensure you drive along familiar, public roads. Never go to remote or secluded areas. Secure Banking Payments: Do not carry large sums of physical cash. Settle the final vehicle purchase via direct bank transfer (CBE Birr, Awash, Telebirr, etc.) inside the bank or upon signing at DARS.

Question 7

How do I report a suspicious listing, fraudulent seller, or abusive chat?

Accepted Answer

On a Listing: Click the flag or "Report" icon on the vehicle details page, select the reason (e.g., fraudulent price, misleading photos, duplicate ad), and submit. In a Chat: Open the conversation, click the options menu (⋮), and select "Report User" or "Block User". Our dedicated Trust & Safety moderation team reviews every reported listing within 2 hours and permanently blacklists bad actors.

Question 8

How do I post my car for sale on AfroMekina, and is it free?

Accepted Answer

Click the "+ Sell Car" or "Post Your Car" button in the top navigation bar (sign in or create an account if prompted). Select whether you are a Private Owner, Broker, or Dealership. Upload high-quality photos (front, rear, both profiles, interior cabin, dashboard, and engine bay). Clear daylight photos get 3x more buyer inquiries. Fill in vehicle specifications: Brand, Model, Year, Mileage (km), Transmission, Fuel Type, Body Type, and your asking Price in ETB. Write an honest description detailing the car’s condition, maintenance records, and any replaced parts. Submit your listing. Posting is 100% free, and your ad will be live immediately for thousands of buyers across Ethiopia.

Question 9

How long does a vehicle listing stay active, and how do I renew it?

Accepted Answer

Every listing on AfroMekina remains active for 30 days from publication. Before expiration, you will receive an in-app reminder asking: "Is your vehicle still for sale?". You can renew your listing for an additional 30 days with a single click from "My Profile → My Listings". If a listing passes 30 days without renewal, it is hidden from public search to ensure buyers only see active cars. Nothing is deleted—you can reactivate it anytime.

Question 10

How do I mark my car as sold once I find a buyer?

Accepted Answer

Sign in and navigate to "My Profile" → "My Listings". Find the car you sold and click the "Mark as Sold" button. The car will immediately be tagged with a SOLD badge and hidden from general search results, stopping unwanted calls. If a deal falls through, you can click "Relist" at any time to return the vehicle to the active marketplace.

Question 11

How does AfroMekina’s buyer-seller chat system work?

Accepted Answer

Direct Vehicle Inquiries: Every listing page has a "Chat with Seller" button that instantly opens a dedicated conversation linked to that car. Real-Time Status: View live typing indicators and delivery/read receipts (double checkmarks) when the other party is online. Safe Audit Trail: Keeping negotiations inside the AfroMekina messenger provides a timestamped record of agreed terms and prevents external spoofing. Guest vs Account: Browsing and calling sellers is open to everyone; messaging requires signing in so we can verify identities and protect against spam.

Question 12

How do I block or unblock someone in chat?

Accepted Answer

To Block: Inside any conversation, tap the menu (⋮) in the top right corner and click "Block User". Once blocked, they cannot message you, and their listings will be hidden from your feed. To Unblock: Visit "My Profile" → "Blocked Users" and click "Unblock" next to their name.

Question 13

Do I need an account to browse cars on AfroMekina?

Accepted Answer

No. Guests can browse thousands of cars, check market prices, read reviews, and call sellers without creating an account. Creating a free account unlocks key features: in-app chat, saving favorite cars to your wishlist, posting cars for sale, and submitting Wanted Car matchmaker requests. You can sign up in under 30 seconds using your Email & Phone Number, or with one-click Google Sign-In.

Question 14

I forgot my password. How do I reset it?

Accepted Answer

Click the "Sign In" button in the top navigation bar. On the login screen, click "Forgot Password?". Enter the email address associated with your AfroMekina account and click "Send Reset Link". Check your inbox for a secure password reset link (check your Spam folder if it doesn’t appear in 2 minutes), enter your new password, and sign back in.

Question 15

How do I delete my AfroMekina account and data?

Accepted Answer

Sign in and navigate to "My Profile" → "Account Settings". Scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Delete Account Permanently". Confirm your password to verify ownership. Your account, active listings, favorites, and chat history will be permanently erased from our active databases in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Help Center & Interactive FAQs

How does the vehicle title transfer (Libre transfer) work in Ethiopia?

What documents should I verify before buying a used car in Ethiopia?

How do I search for, inspect, and buy a car on AfroMekina?

What should I do if I can’t find the specific car I want?

Why should I NEVER send an advance deposit or booking fee?

What are the safety guidelines when meeting a seller or buyer?

How do I report a suspicious listing, fraudulent seller, or abusive chat?

How do I post my car for sale on AfroMekina, and is it free?

How long does a vehicle listing stay active, and how do I renew it?

How do I mark my car as sold once I find a buyer?

How does AfroMekina’s buyer-seller chat system work?

How do I block or unblock someone in chat?

Do I need an account to browse cars on AfroMekina?

I forgot my password. How do I reset it?

How do I delete my AfroMekina account and data?

Talk directly with AfroMekina Support

Help Center & Interactive FAQs

How does the vehicle title transfer (Libre transfer) work in Ethiopia?

What documents should I verify before buying a used car in Ethiopia?

How do I search for, inspect, and buy a car on AfroMekina?

What should I do if I can’t find the specific car I want?

Why should I NEVER send an advance deposit or booking fee?

What are the safety guidelines when meeting a seller or buyer?

How do I report a suspicious listing, fraudulent seller, or abusive chat?

How do I post my car for sale on AfroMekina, and is it free?

How long does a vehicle listing stay active, and how do I renew it?

How do I mark my car as sold once I find a buyer?

How does AfroMekina’s buyer-seller chat system work?

How do I block or unblock someone in chat?

Do I need an account to browse cars on AfroMekina?

I forgot my password. How do I reset it?

How do I delete my AfroMekina account and data?

Talk directly with AfroMekina Support