Zera greenlights mobile fuel stations

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) has officially begun a nationwide program to deploy portable, containerised fuel stations aimed at improving fuel access in rural and remote areas. The initiative, which started as a pilot project in Gokwe Nembudziya, seeks to establish low-cost, mobile service stations to support farming, mining, and other underserved sectors.

Zera says the program will enhance the profitability of agricultural machinery, bolster small-scale mining operations, and curb the unsafe fuel black market. By bringing energy directly to unserved regions, the authority anticipates boosting local economic activity, in line with the Government's National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which emphasizes inclusive growth.

Speaking to the media, Zera CEO Eddington Mazambani said the rollout had begun in earnest. "We have piloted with Petrotrade at Nembudziya. We have standards already approved and we are rolling out the stations," he said. Mazambani noted that the program would benefit farmers, rural businesspeople, civil servants, and NGO workers who previously had to travel long distances to access fuel.

He explained that the containerised stations are self-contained fuel storage and dispensing units built inside standard shipping containers, with above-ground storage tanks and secondary containment. They can be transported on low-bed trailers as needed, making them flexible, affordable, and quick to deploy compared to traditional fuel stations.

"The liberalisation of the petroleum industry has led to significant growth in Zimbabwe's fuel market; however, this expansion has largely been concentrated in urban centres, leaving many rural areas without conventional fuel stations," Mazambani said. He added that the lack of infrastructure in remote regions has resulted in higher transportation costs, reduced productivity, and limited economic activity.

Mazambani emphasized that containerised stations provide a more economically viable solution to this problem. "These stations will improve access to fuel for agricultural machinery, small-scale mining, and cottage industries while stimulating local economic development," he said, noting that the initiative could also encourage the growth of complementary small businesses, creating mini-economic hubs and enhancing social services in rural communities.

Zera has formally gazetted the project, a move aimed at formalizing fuel supply and promoting safety and economic growth across the country's most remote areas. Regulations to ensure sector compliance are expected to be promulgated soon.