Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Major downstream operator, A.A. Rano Nigeria Limited, owned by oil magnate Alhaji Auwalu Abdullahi Rano, has announced plans to unveiled the country’s first fully automated and unmanned fuel stations, promising 24/7 service, digital payments, and smart pump technology.
The initiative, implemented in partnership with Nigerian tech firm Petrosoft Limited, will see its automated systems deployed across A.A. Rano’s more than 200 retail outlets nationwide.
According to a statement, the first automated stations are set to begin operations this month, allowing customers to refuel and complete transactions without attendants.
Contactless payment systems and real-time transaction monitoring are central to the innovation.
“This technology is designed to reduce losses, improve transparency, and reassure customers that they are receiving the exact volume of fuel for which they pay,” A.A. Rano stated.
Petrosoft Chief Executive Officer Dr. Joshua Denila emphasized the role of homegrown technology in transforming the sector.
“Our systems are developed locally and built to international standards. They are designed to improve efficiency from single stations to large fueling depots,” Denila said.
The move could be a game-changer for Nigeria’s fuel retail market, addressing long-standing challenges such as attendant errors, fuel pilferage, and payment inefficiencies.
With increasing demand for technological solutions in the energy sector, this partnership between A.A. Rano and Petrosoft is being viewed as a model for scaling automation across Nigeria’s downstream oil industry.
“The automation of fuel stations aligns with broader goals of digitization, efficiency, and customer empowerment in the oil and gas retail sector,” Denila added.
The roll-out of the first stations this January marks the beginning of a potential nationwide transformation of fuel retail operations, combining technology, transparency, and convenience for Nigerian consumers.
