Vivo Energy Botswana, the company that distributes and markets Shell products and services in the country, has opened the Shell Mmopane service station, taking its national Shell retail network to 85 stations and expanding access to high-quality fuels and lubricants along the growing Kweneng region.
The new station addresses what the company describes as a longstanding gap in its network in the area, while responding to increasing residential, commercial and commuter activity along the route. It offers Shell fuels and lubricants, Pick n Pay Go for everyday shopping and a Pick n Pay Liquor outlet.
Speaking at the official opening, Vivo Energy Botswana Managing Director Sesupo Wagamang said the investment was driven by the need to align the company’s network with areas experiencing growth.
“Our network expansion is about more than increasing the number of stations we operate. It’s about making deliberate investments and establishing a presence where Botswana is growing. Mmopane is an important and rapidly developing area, and this investment allows us to bring Shell closer to customers while strengthening our ability to serve this community,” said Wagamang. Wagamang said changing customer expectations were also influencing the design and positioning of the company’s service stations.
“We have always maintained that customers are looking for more than a place to refuel. They want quality, reliability and convenience, and they want to be able to meet more of their everyday needs in one journey. Our partnership with Pick n Pay allows us to broaden the proposition at Shell Mmopane and create a destination that responds to how our customers live and travel today,” he said. The investment is also expected to contribute to the local economy through employment, skills development and opportunities for skills transfer. The station will generate additional economic activity for businesses and service providers operating in and around Mmopane.
The opening is part of Vivo Energy Botswana’s wider investment in its retail network as the company seeks to expand its presence in growing communities while maintaining its focus on responsible business growth. “Responsible growth means making investments that deliver value to the business while also contributing to the communities that we serve. With Shell Mmopane, we are creating employment, supporting skills development, improving access to services and strengthening convenience for customers. That is the kind of growth we want to continue pursuing across Botswana,” said Wagamang.
The company said its focus will remain on strengthening its retail network, improving customer experience and identifying opportunities to expand its presence in communities where population and economic activity continue to grow. The opening of Shell Mmopane marks another step in Vivo Energy Botswana’s ongoing investment in Botswana’s retail infrastructure and its strategy of bringing Shell products and services closer to customers across the country.
