Vivo Energy Rwanda, a company that markets and distributes Engen-branded fuels and lubricants in Rwanda, has acquired the assets of local petroleum firms, Energy Solution (ENES) and GEMECA Petroleum, in a move to increase its retail network and provide more convenience to its customers.

The development will increase the number of Engen-branded service stations in Rwanda by 60 percent, according to its management.

The acquisition which was officially announced in Kigali last week on March 25, 2021, will increase the company’s market share by 3 percent.

According to officials from Vivo Energy, this acquisition builds on its strategy to invest to grow the business and subsequently, all service stations belonging to both ENES and GEMECA will be rebranded to Engen.

Commenting on the transaction, Hans Paulsen, Executive Vice President Vivo Energy Eastern and Southern Africa said: "Today is a big day for Vivo Energy Rwanda. Adding 13 new sites to our network, and significantly increasing our market share is milestone”.

"At Vivo Energy, we place a lot of value on customer experience.  In the past year, our focus has been on raising the standard of our convenience services, quick shops, car wash and other facilities in order to offer unmatched customer service at our Engen-branded service stations. We are delighted to bring more stations and more choice to our customers with these newly added service stations.”

Paulsen pointed out that they specifically targeted the ENES and GEMECA portfolios for the outstanding quality of their services and assets and key account customer base.

Saibou Coulibaly Managing Director of Vivo Energy Rwanda said that they are very happy to announce the acquisition of ENES (Energy Solution) and GEMECA Petroleum retail sites by Vivo Energy Rwanda.

"Our retail network will definitely grow by 60 percent to be better close to the end users, the final customers, and in certain number of locations, in South, in East, and also West, and regions where we were not fully present to satisfy the customer needs, and petroleum needs of our end users.

Zephanie Niyonkuru, Deputy CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB) said Vivo Energy has been a good development partner of the Government of Rwanda, said that they are happy to see that these kinds of transactions are happening in the market.

"It reflects confidence that investors have in our economy in terms of really being able to make these transactions where you would have an investor investing in a particular asset and also, later on being able to exit via private transaction,” he said.

Venturing into electric charging stations

Meanwhile on the same day, in line with  Rwanda’s commitment to reduce harmful emissions from vehicles powered by petrol and diesel, Vivo Energy launched Rwanda's first fast-charging electric service point at its Engen Kanogo service station.

According to the 2020 environmental agency report, greenhouse gas emissions from transportation account for approximately 28 percentage of total gas emissions.

With the launch of its partnership with Greenleaf Autofast Rwanda Ltd, Rwanda's leading electric vehicle dealership, Vivo Energy said that it hopes to increase more service stations where it shall be installing more electric charging points.  

With this new service, the officials said that it will help curb anxiety and inconveniences faced by Rwandan electric car users and also reduce carbon emissions and offer convenient and eco-friendly solutions for their consumers.

Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) Director General, Juliet Kabera said that the electric vehicle investments are welcome because they will help address the issue of environmental pollution caused by petrol and diesel run vehicles.

"The Government will continue to support such investors who venture into undertakings that protect the environment,” she said.

RDB’s Niyonkuru commended Vivo Energy for diversifying investments by venturing into green solutions including electric vehicles or motorbikes charging stations.

Saibou Coulibaly, Managing Director of Vivo Energy Rwanda.

Hans Paulsen, Executive Vice President Vivo Energy Eastern and Southern Africa.

Group photo at Engen Kanogo during the launch of electric charging station.