Online property marketplace BuyRentKenya has been acquired by African proptech firm Rushbox Ltd., marking a new wave of consolidation in Sub-Saharan Africa’s digital real estate sector.
Expanding Regional Footprint
- Rushbox, which operates PropertyCloud in Mauritius and Property.co.zw in Zimbabwe, will now deepen its presence in Kenya.
- The acquisition positions the company to scale across Sub-Saharan Africa’s fast-growing property markets.
- BuyRentKenya’s customer accounts, listings, tools, and agent dashboards remain accessible, with planned product upgrades.
Leadership Perspectives
Elizabeth Costabir, CEO of BuyRentKenya, said the deal ushers in a new chapter:
“We have always focused on connecting Kenyans to reliable, high-quality property options, and joining forces with Rushbox strengthens that commitment.”
Garth Drummond, Director of Rushbox Ltd., emphasised the company’s growth ambitions:
“BuyRentKenya has built a reputable platform in the Kenyan market, and we are excited to support the next phase of its growth. Our shared focus is to enhance innovation, improve user experience and create more opportunities for property seekers, agents, and developers.”
Ringier’s Strategic Shift
- Former parent company Ringier sold BuyRentKenya as part of a portfolio consolidation, focusing on jobs and classifieds under The African Talent Company (TATC).
- Axel Konjack, Ringier’s Head of Marketplaces, said Rushbox brings “significant synergies” to BuyRentKenya, enabling further growth while Ringier doubles down on its talent ecosystem.
- Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Market Position
- BuyRentKenya is considered a market leader in Kenya’s property portal space, competing with Hauzisha, Property24 Kenya, Jiji, and other local platforms.
- The acquisition signals a shift toward locally focused ownership in East Africa’s real estate verticals.
- Rushbox aims to combine its cross-market expertise with BuyRentKenya’s local insights to deliver greater value to users.
