Zera greenlights mobile fuel stations

THE Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) has rolled out a nationwide program of portable, containerised fuel stations designed to service rural and remote communities.

The initiative, which began as a pilot project in Gokwe Nembudziya, will establish low-cost, mobile service stations to provide reliable fuel in farming, mining and other under-served areas.

This strategic rollout aims to enhance the profitability of agricultural machinery, boost small-scale mining operations and curb the unsafe fuel black market.

By delivering energy access directly to unserved regions, the programme is expected to stimulate local economic development.

It dovetails with the Government’s National Development Strategy 2 and its core thrust of leaving no one and no place behind.

Zera has formally gazetted the project, marking a significant step in formalizing fuel supply and promoting safety and growth across Zimbabwe’s most remote areas.

In an interview, Zera’s chief executive officer, Mr Eddington Mazambani, said the programme had started in earnest.

“We have piloted with Petrotrade at Nembudziya. We have standards already approved and we are rolling out the stations,” said Mr Mazambani.

He said the programme had major benefits to the economy.

“This is going to be a very important initiative in driving NDS2 as we seek to provide fuel to all corners of the country. In fact, the initiative dovetails with Government drive of leaving no place and no one behind, which is inclusive growth. We should be having regulations promulgated soon to ensure compliance in the sector,” said Mr Mazambani.

He said the facility will go a long way in helping rural businesspersons, farmers, civil servants and Non-Governmental Organisation workers who have had to endure travelling long distances to get fuel.

“A containerised/portable fuel retail station is a complete, self-contained fuel storage and dispensing unit built inside a standard shipping container. The storage tanks are above ground, and the shipping container provides secondary containment. They are also called portable fuel stations because the container installation can be transported on a low-bed trailer as and when necessary. Containerised fuel retail facilities are flexible and relatively cheap to deploy and redeploy,” said Mr Mazambani.

“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 and remote areas with little to no presence of conventional fuel stations. As a result, residents — including businesspeople, farmers, civil servants and NGO workers — must travel long distances to access fuel, leading to higher transportation costs, reduced productivity, and limited economic activity in these communities.”

He said the facility came about after a realisation that due to the prohibitive construction costs of traditional fuel infrastructure, many remote rural areas have been overlooked by mainstream investors.

“The introduction of containerised stations, which are significantly cheaper and quicker to deploy, presents a more economically viable solution. These stations will not only improve access to fuel for agricultural machinery, small-scale mining and cottage industries but also help stimulate local economic development,” he said.

Mr Mazambani said the presence of the facility was expected to encourage the growth of complementary small businesses, creating mini-economic hubs and enhancing social services in rural communities.