RUBiS Energy Zambia managing director Vincent Freury has disclosed that the energy company has officially launched their presence in Zambia following the successful acquisition of Kobil and Samfuel.
Freury told the gathering at the launch event that the acquisition has enabled RUBiS Zambia to strengthen their share of the Zambian Petroleum sector, with 40 service stations across the country.
“Important to note, this is a brand for Zambians and through them, we commit to offering efficiency, excellence and above all consumer confidence to our new and already existing clientele,” Freury said.
He stated that despite the negative impact of the COVID pandemic, RUBiS Energy Zambia, a local unit of RUBiS energy based in France believes in the potential of the Zambian economy to bounce back stronger albeit gradually.
Freury said it is in the same spirit that the company chose to introduce fresh RUBiS Energy at this time to fuel the Zambian economy. He said for RUBiS, this energy is unleashing new frontiers through the rebrand, and creating new opportunities for Zambians to succeed.
He said to further devolve the accessibility, it is the company’s intent to expand its footprint and to invest heavily in the market through leases, land purchase, acquisitions and through modernization of its existing retail outlets into state-of-the-art service stations built by Zambians for Zambians.
Fruery said the launch of the Ibex service station RUBiS brand is the first step in the pipeline of activities aimed at meeting customer needs for mobility with high quality fuel and lubricants, and also cooking with RUBiS’ LPG K-gas brand through its service stations.
“In addition, we are working on innovative concepts aimed at satisfying the needs and desires of customers on the go.
“These will include our convenience store brand, RUBiS Express, providing nice snacks and drinks to motorists on the go, but also Quick Service Restaurants, Service Bays, ATMs and all the concepts, which will make our customers to feel at home at RUBiS. We also provide automotive fuel cards offering exclusive offers and services to promote customer loyalty at our retail outlets in all four corners of the country,” he said.
Rubis East Africa group managing director Jean-Christian Bergeron said Zambia is an important market for the company as it sees not only significant growth potential but, more importantly, many ways in which the company can make life’s journey better for Zambians.
Bergeron said Rubis’ vision for Zambia is to become the preferred brand of customers on the move by providing quality products and services with convenience and efficiency while focusing on safety and environment.
“As you can see and you will continue to see, our Kobil and Samfuel stations are one by one becoming Rubis and this transformation has much more in store for our customers than just a new name and logo.
“First and foremost, we are upgrading and modernizing our service stations such as this Ibex service station with the highest quality of products in state-of-the-art facilities offering a safe, clean and modern environment,” he said.
Bergeron said in all Rubis service stations, there would be Rubis Express shop concept added to provide an excellent convenience shopping experience to save time and money.
“For individual as well as commercial customers, we offer the Rubis Card which provides a convenient and secure payment solution for both fuel and shop purchases, and a fuel discount to thank you for your loyalty,” he said.
And the Zambian Government has called on Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to continue expanding the number of fuel service stations in the country to increase access to petroleum products.
Speaking during the launch of RUBiS Energy Zambia at the Ibex Hill Service station in Lusaka which the Zambian Business Times-ZBT attended, Ministry of Energy director Mandona Miyova said there is need for OMCs to come on board as Zambia works to improve the energy sector in the country.
Miyova said petroleum is key as it determines economic, social and political outcomes.
“Your contribution to Zambia’s petroleum industry is important; we welcome the move to launch as part of your efforts to serve Zambians efficiently. Petroleum is a key industry that determines economic, social and political outcomes.
“We urge other oil marketing companies to continue expanding the number of filling stations in the country not only in the urban areas but also in the rural areas to increase access to petroleum products,” she said.
Miyova said government was looking forward to having more investors and forging of more project partnerships that will offer more opportunities to Zambians.
“As you may be aware, for importing countries such as Zambia, petroleum accounts for a large amount of foreign exchange expenditure. So this launch is important as it opens doors for Zambians not only for consuming fuel but also creation of job opportunities for local Zambians in different capacities.
“The coming of this is a strong indication of favorable market dynamics and a growing economy. Competition brings about improved service delivery; I would like to call upon other OMCs to come on board as we improve the energy sector in Zambia,” she said.
