By Our Reporter
Vivo Energy Uganda, a company that distributes and markets Shell-branded fuels and lubricants to retail and commercial customers in Africa held an interactive breakfast meeting with the media fraternity at the Kampala Serena Hotel on Thursday. This meeting was intended to discuss business performance, key focus areas going forward, outlook for 2020 and an industry analysis for the sector.
The main points highlighted during the meeting included market growth and investment, engen integration, joint ventures and customer promise.
“Last year Vivo energy entered in a 50:50 joint venture partnership in which it will manage and operate the restaurants in the three markets on behalf of Kuku Foods East Africa Holdings (Kuku Foods), who will remain the local KFC franchisee, this was possible because we are a steadily growing company. This has eased our way of doing business and stimulated growth,” said Managing Director Mr. Gilbert Assi.
Mr. Hans Paulsen Executive Vice President East & Southern Africa Vivo Energy attributed the steady growth of the company to the rapid growth of Uganda’s population, innovation in the fuel sector, stable political environment, offering more improved services to customers and value for money for all Shell products.
He added that despite the growth the company has enjoyed , they have also encountered several challenges over time, the main challenge being the lack of a leveled playing field in the fuel business in Uganda highlighting that most of the fuel vendors are not operating according to the international fuel standards of safety and environment friendly policies.
According to Mr. Gilbert Assi MD, Vivo Energy Uganda is ready and willing to partner with government to promote the use of gas in the household activities instead of cutting down tress for charcoal and firewood that is harmful to the environment.