SOCIETE PETROLIERE

What SOCIETE PETROLIERE does

Société Pétrolière Ltd. (branded "SP") is Rwanda's leading privately held integrated fuel and energy company, founded in 1998 and headquartered in Kigali. The company operates a nationwide retail network of 60+ petrol stations distributing petrol (PMS), diesel (AGO), and kerosene (BIK), alongside Rwanda's largest LPG cylinder network—350,000 cylinders distributed through 250+ selling points. Customer segments span individual vehicle owners, commercial fleet operators, hospitality businesses, industrial and manufacturing customers, government entities (e.g., Rwanda National Police, RICA), and electric vehicle users. Operations extend beyond Rwanda through wholly owned subsidiaries in Tanzania and Kenya.

SP's product portfolio combines traditional petroleum products (petrol, diesel, kerosene), premium fuels under the Edge 95 sub-brand (a high-performance Octane 95 petrol engineered for modern post-2011 engines), LPG distributed under the SP Gas sub-brand in 6kg–38kg cylinder sizes, and the SP Card—a fleet management and smart payment solution offering real-time transaction monitoring, spend limits, and monthly statements accepted at all SP stations. Supporting infrastructure includes a 17,000 m³ LPG storage facility, multiple LPG refilling plants, and combined petrol/diesel storage capacity exceeding 67,000 liters. Daily throughput surpasses 1 million liters of fuel and 70,000 kg of LPG, with company-owned and leased stations serving as both retail outlets and customer-acquisition channels.

Revenue is generated primarily through transactional retail fuel and LPG sales, contract-based 24/7 bulk fuel delivery to commercial and industrial customers, SP Card issuance and processing, and emerging EV-related services via partnerships with Ampersand (e-motorbike battery swapping) and Kabisa (DC fast-charging). The go-to-market model combines physical retail (the station network as the primary acquisition and engagement channel) with direct enterprise field sales for bulk contracts and fleet-card solutions, supplemented by WhatsApp, email, and website digital channels. Recent strategic positioning emphasizes environmental leadership through LPG clean-cooking adoption and EV infrastructure partnerships, aligning with Rwanda's clean-energy transition policies and diversifying revenue beyond pure petroleum dependency.

Name

SOCIETE PETROLIERE

Legal name

Société Pétrolière Ltd.

Website

https://sp.co.rw

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Société Pétrolière Ltd., Rwanda's leading integrated energy company, operates 60+ petrol stations and the country's largest LPG cylinder network. It distributes petrol, diesel, LPG, and Edge 95 premium fuel to consumers, fleets, and industrial customers across Rwanda, Tanzania, and Kenya.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fuel Distribution and Energy Retail

NAICS

Gasoline Stations (4571), Fuel Dealers (45721), Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores (45711)

SIC

Wholesale-Petroleum Bulk Stations & Terminals (5171)

akta.pro primary industry

Branded Fuels Wholesaling & Jobber Distribution (EUALAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fuel Pricing, Loyalty & Payments Platforms (POS, Mobile Pay, Fleet Cards, Loyalty Programs) (EUALAIAK), Commercial & Fleet Fueling (Cardlock, On-Site Tanks, Bulk Delivery) (EUALAIAD)

Keywords

• Retail fuel stations
• LPG distribution
• Petroleum products
• Bulk fuel delivery
• Fleet management cards

Headquarters

HQ city

Kigali

HQ country

Rwanda

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Retail Fuel Sales: Petrol and diesel sales through 60+ company-owned and leased service stations across Rwanda, serving individual consumers and vehicle fleets with standard and premium fuels.
2. Bulk Fuel Delivery: Direct fuel delivery services for commercial and industrial customers with large-quantity needs, providing scheduled, reliable, nationwide delivery for businesses and large fleets.
3. SP Card Services: Fleet management and fuel card services generating revenue through card issuance, transaction processing, and associated account management fees for individuals and corporate fleets.
4. LPG Distribution: LPG cylinder sales and distribution across Rwanda's largest cylinder network, serving households, restaurants, hotels, and industrial customers with various cylinder sizes (6kg, 12kg, 15kg, 20kg, 38kg).
5. Industrial/Commercial Supply: B2B fuel and energy supply agreements for industrial operations, manufacturing facilities, and commercial enterprises with contract-based pricing and delivery.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Société Pétrolière is Rwanda's leading integrated fuel and energy company, distributing petrol, diesel, kerosene, premium Edge 95 Octane 95 petrol, and LPG cylinders through 60+ retail stations and 250+ LPG selling points nationwide. The company serves individual consumers, commercial fleets, hospitality operators, and industrial customers with bulk delivery services and the SP Card fleet management solution, while supporting Rwanda's EV transition through Ampersand battery swapping and Kabisa DC fast-charging partnerships.

Product overview

Société Pétrolière is Rwanda's leading integrated energy company operating a diversified portfolio of fuel and energy products. The core offering consists of traditional petroleum products (Petrol PMS, Diesel AGO, Kerosene BIK) distributed through 60+ retail stations, complemented by premium fuel products (Edge 95 Octane 95) and Rwanda's largest LPG cylinder network (SP Gas). The company extends its portfolio with the SP Card—a fleet management and smart payment solution—and EV Support services (Ampersand battery swapping and Kabisa fast-charging). Bulk fuel delivery serves commercial and industrial customers. The products operate across a unified distribution network, with the SP Card serving as a cross-cutting payment and fleet management tool that integrates with all fuel and energy products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SP Card: Smart payment and fleet management solution for individuals and businesses across all SP stations, offering real-time transaction monitoring, spend limits, and monthly statements.
• Edge 95
• SP Gas

Products and services

• Petrol (PMS) Standard unleaded petrol for petrol-powered vehicles, commercial fleets, and industrial equipment, available at all 60+ SP stations across Rwanda.
• Diesel (AGO) Premium diesel fuel for commercial vehicles, generators, agricultural machinery, and industrial equipment, distributed nationwide through SP stations and bulk delivery.
• Edge 95 Premium Fuel

Quantifiable outcome

• Rwanda's #1 LPG Network with 350k cylinder network and 17,000m³ storage facility
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AmpersandcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for electric motorbike battery swapping services at select SP stations, supporting Rwanda's EV transition and providing sustainable mobility solutions.
• KabisacoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for DC fast-charging infrastructure for electric cars at select SP stations, enabling electric vehicle adoption in Rwanda.
• One Acre FundminorOthersTrusted partner receiving LPG supply services for clean energy access initiatives supporting smallholder farmers.
• SingitaminorOthersLuxury hospitality partner receiving reliable LPG supply for sustainable operations at their Rwandan properties.
• GIZminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment organization partner supporting Rwanda's clean energy transition through LPG adoption initiatives.
• Rwanda National PoliceminorOthersGovernment customer receiving fuel and energy supply services for police operations.
• AX GroupminorOthersCommercial customer partner receiving LPG and fuel supply services.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Rubis Energie East Africa: Pan-African downstream fuel and LPG distributor with operations across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and other East African markets. Directly comparable to Société Pétrolière as a multi-country branded fuel retailer and LPG distributor serving both retail and commercial customers.

Regional players

• KenolKobil: Kenyan integrated fuel marketer with nationwide station network, LPG, lubricants, and fleet services across East Africa. Comparable to SP as a multi-product regional fuel retailer with adjacent geographic markets.
• Galana Oil Kenya: Kenyan fuel marketer with retail station network and bulk fuel distribution across East Africa. Comparable to SP as a regional branded fuel retailer operating in adjacent geographies.
• Lake Oil Group: Tanzanian fuel marketer with retail station network, bulk fuel supply, and LPG operations across East Africa. Comparable to SP as a regional branded fuel distributor operating in one of SP's subsidiary markets.
• Engen Petroleum: South African-origin fuel marketer with a significant presence in East and Southern Africa through branded service stations, convenience retail, and lubricants. Comparable as a regional branded fuel retailer operating in adjacent geographies to SP.
• Ola Energy (formerly BP East Africa): African downstream fuel and lubricants marketer operating in East and Southern Africa. Comparable to SP as a regional branded fuel retailer with multi-country station operations and B2B supply.

Emerging players

• Ampersand: East African electric mobility company operating e-motorbike battery-swapping networks, including at SP stations in Rwanda. Comparable as an emerging player whose growth directly intersects SP's EV infrastructure strategy.
• Hashi Energy: East African clean cooking energy company focused on LPG distribution, cylinder financing, and clean fuel adoption. Comparable to SP's LPG growth thesis as a focused emerging player in the regional LPG transition.

Broad incumbents

• Vivo Energy: Shell-licensed downstream marketer operating branded fuel stations and LPG distribution across more than 20 African countries. Comparable to SP as a multi-country branded fuel retailer with convenience offerings and B2B/commercial supply.
• TotalEnergies Marketing Rwanda: Subsidiary of global major TotalEnergies operating branded fuel stations and LPG distribution in Rwanda. Directly competes with SP at the forecourt and LPG level, with deeper international supply contracts and brand recognition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SOCIETE PETROLIERE