In a move to offer better services to its clients, ENGEN Rwanda has introduced an electronic fuel card solution, replacing the traditional coupons.

The new system, which started with the company’s 25 clients in the first phase of the implementation, will reduce risks related to cash and coupon transactions.

This was noted by Adama Soro, Managing Director of ENGEN Rwanda, during the launch of the product on Thursday at Serena Hotel.

The system involves two cards—one for the vehicle identification tag and the other for fueling. The identification card costs Rwf 2,000, while the fuel card is worth Rwf 5,000.

"The target is to progressively transform coupon customers to fuel card solution, and in six months we hope to have the maximum number of our customers on the network,” Soro said, adding that a customer may choose to remain with the traditional coupon method.

According to Soro, Rwanda is the second country to introduce the system in the African countries where ENGEN operates.  South Africa was the first.

Some clients hailed the system, saying that it will improve their fleet management by reducing risks and fraud.

"It can’t be zero-risk, but it will significantly reduce the risks in manipulation and it’s in conformity with the national policy of adopting technology,” said Alex Mukaralinda, a transport officer in the Immigration and Emigration Office.

John Karamuka, from the National Bank of Rwanda’s (NBR) Department of Payments System, said that the product is timely because Rwanda is switching to electronic payment.

"The system is secure and efficient,” he said. "The next step should be monitoring how it’s working and the level of security.”

Pump attendants have been trained on how to operate the system, use the card, read the identification tag that will be attached to the petro-station and provide information like balance, amount fueled and kilometers to be covered.

The system will be deployed in all of ENGEN’s 18 service stations around the country.

Management says that the service will allow customers to deposit funds directly to the company’s bank account and get their cards loaded remotely. ENGEN also intends to allow customers to use the cards outside of Rwanda to refuel and buy lubricants from any ENGEN shop in the neighboring countries.

"The system is our major achievement as promised last year. We are trying to replicate the technology and services of South Africa in Rwanda,” Soro said. 

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