Engen continues to expand in the Democratic Republic of Congo and so spread its retail fuel and convenience customer experience across the country, with the recent opening of two new Engen service stations.
“As always, convenience and customer service are key determinants of our success and we are excited to bring these two new service stations to market,” says Charles Nikobasa, Managing Director of Engen in the DRC.
“Engen has a growing footprint and the brand is well known amongst our customers who have come to associate themselves with Engen’s brand promise of With us you are Number One.”
As a leading marketer of fuels and lubricants, Engen currently operates 67 service stations across the DRC, as well as two fuel depots and two lubricants depots.
“The launch of these two new sites – Engen FS Kauka and Engen FS Pompage – is an affirmation of the continued prospects for growth in the country,” adds Nikobasa.
Both located in Kinshasa, Engen FS Kauka boasts three quad dispensers for diesel and petrol and a planned isolated pump island to accommodate long vehicles. Engen FS Pompage is the only operational service station in its immediate area, boasts an Engen Quickshop that stocks typical convenience products and general merchandise, and has two quad dispensers offering petrol and diesel as well as a mono diesel dispenser.
Both Engen FS Kauka and Engen FS Pompage offer Engen Primax Unleaded 93/95, Engen Dynamic Diesel 50ppm and Engen and PETRONAS lubricants products.
Says Nikobasa: “Our superior quality fuels and lubricants leverage the research and advanced technology offered by our parent company PETRONAS, who provide Engen with the technical expertise responsible for designing, developing and delivering the fuel, fluid and lubricant technology solutions that has powered the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ team to 7 consecutive FIA Formula One™ World Constructors’ and World Drivers’ Championships.
“This technical partnership ensures that the all the fuel and lubricant products we as Engen offer our customers, have withstood the ultimate Formula One™ testing ground.”
In line with standard regulations, Engen prioritises hygiene measure at its 67 forecourts, with sanitizers at shop entrances, cash points and islands.
“This includes temperatures checks of all customers and assistance from an onsite Covid-19 champion where required. No customers are allowed onsite without wearing a mask,” assures Nikobasa.
Steady growth
Drikus Kotze, General Manager of Engen’s Commercial and International Business Division says since entering the DRC in 2007 when it purchased 60% of Shell en RDC, Engen has been growing steadily in the country. “The DRC is an integral part of Engen’s growth ambitions and we’ve been aggressive in our retail roll-out over the past decade. Today we operate 67 service stations, 2 fuel depots and 2 lubricants plants.
“Given the stringent environmental and regulatory issues that we always subscribe to, locating appropriate sites and finalising the necessary approvals can be a challenge,” he adds.
As the sub-Saharan African subsidiary of PETRONAS, the Malaysian-owned FORTUNE 500 global integrated oil company, Engen complies with strict health, safety, environment, and quality best practice, wherever it operates.
Says Kotze: “We do a lot of work to ensure the engineering and workmanship in the DRC and elsewhere is of an excellent standard.”
Engen also owns 13% of SEP, the industry distribution and operations company, as well as a 49% of Aristea, in partnership with Total, through which it has interests in FinaCongo, TFC and Sofimo.
“It’s about never standing still, and continually seeking relevant and innovative ways to meaningfully impact our customers lives by offering quality petroleum products and exciting convenience services, which is why we are excited to aggressively and sustainably grow the Engen footprint in the region,” says Kotze.
Engen operates a retail network of 230+ service stations in six countries, namely: Botswana, DRC, eSwatini, Lesotho, Mauritius and Namibia, as well as a further 1 000+ sites in South Africa.
The company also focuses on the commercial fuels and lubricants sectors in these countries, as well as having reseller agreements for lubricants in several other sub-Saharan African countries.
As a proud partner of international oil giant PETRONAS, Engen markets state-of-the-art customer solutions and technologically advanced lubricants, says Kotze.
“Offering our customers reliable, high-performing lubricants, coupled with our efficient tailored innovation solutions and value enhancing technical services, Engen and PETRONAS lubricant products are specially developed to withstand the region’s harsh conditions and ensure that equipment runs smoother for longer.
“With more than a century of experience lubricating and protecting equipment across industries, our hard-working products have been developed to provide the best protection for equipment in order to increase productivity, reliability and ultimately reduce costs.”
