Previous News: Finalrentals Launches in Morocco
Finalrentals Enters African Rental Car Market
A new partnership in Zanzibar brings the full array of Finalrentals services to Africa for the first time.

Finalrentals Zanzibar provides a diverse fleet of vehicles tailored to both short- and long-term rental needs.
Photo: Finalrentals
Global car rental company Finalrentals recently took a major step in its expansion by establishing a foothold in Africa.
Finalrentals has opened a rental car outlet on the island of Zanzibar, a part of the nation of Tanzania, wich lies 22 miles off the east central coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean.
Zanzibar, easily accessible from Kenya, heralds a new phase for Finalrentals. The company’s growth in 2024 included partnerships across Europe, the Middle East, North America, and the Caribbean.
Finalrentals Zanzibar provides a diverse fleet of vehicles tailored to both short- and long-term rental needs.
“This partnership is a significant milestone for Finalrentals, as it gives us our first presence in Africa, a market we have been eager to enter,” said Ammar Akhtar, founder and CEO of Finalrentals, in a Jan. 17 news release. “Working with our local partners on the beautiful island of Zanzibar allows us to [bring] the benefits of our platform to the broader African car hire market. We’re committed to expanding further into Africa by partnering with independent car hire businesses, empowering them to reach new customers and drive growth.”
Local franchisee Hafidh Abdulla added, “Partnering with Finalrentals is an opportunity for us to connect Zanzibar’s vibrant market with a global platform. This collaboration allows us to showcase the beauty and accessibility of Zanzibar as a destination.”
Finalrentals joins rental car companies Green Motion and Surprice Car Rental on the Tanzanian island.
More Rental Operations

Sixt Revenue Tops $2.4 Billion in First Half of 2026
Sixt’s first-half revenue surpassed $2.4 billion for the first time as demand outpaced fleet growth, lifting utilization and earnings despite weaker consumer sentiment in North America.
Read More →
In Memoriam: Bobby Klyce, Avis Licensee Legend
The longtime Birmingham Avis operator and 2018 Auto Rental News Impact Award recipient was remembered as an advocate for independent licensees and the broader car rental industry.
Read More →How to Build Custom Fleet Tools With AI and Vibe Coding [Webinar]
A new Automotive Fleet webinar explores how fleet managers are using AI and vibe coding to automate routine work and create simple operational tools without traditional programming skills.
Read More →
Car Rental Rates Forecast to Rise 3.6% in 2026 Before Easing in 2027
Car rental rates are projected to rise less than airfares and hotel rates in 2026, then become the only major travel category forecast to decline in 2027, according to projections from GBTA and ALTOUR.
Read More →
Avis Cuts Fleet as Summer Demand Trails Expectations
Avis Budget Group increased second-quarter earnings despite lower Americas revenue and softer-than-expected summer demand. The company also expanded Avis First and advanced its autonomous fleet operations with Waymo.
Read More →
Why Bookings Are Only the Start of the Rental Day
A reservation captures demand. The operating test is whether the business can keep the customer, vehicle, commercial terms, and next action aligned until the rental is closed.
Read More →
This Is the Oldest Car Rental Advertisement You’ll Ever See
This ad for Saunders Drive it Yourself, believed to be the first car rental company in the U.S., was found in an Omaha phone book from 1926.
Read More →
The Desk Upsell Is Costing Operators More Than it Earns
Counter upsells generate revenue, but they can also slow transactions, erode trust, and cost repeat business. Fully inclusive pricing may offer operators a better path to long-term value.
Read More →
U-Save Expands Indian Ocean Presence with New Master Franchise for Mauritius
The franchise has been acquired by Mauritian travel entrepreneur Umarfarooq Omarjee, an established figure in the island's tourism and mobility sector.
Read More →
Global Carsharing Fleet Projected to Reach 768,000 Vehicles By 2030
A new Berg Insight forecast outlines several business models driving the projected growth in public carsharing worldwide through 2029.
Read More →
