Regional Payments and Financial Services giant Pesapal and pan-African payments company Cellulant have teamed up to automate Zambia’s fuel retail industry, marking a significant turning point in the country’s digital transformation.
Through this partnership, which was announced on Tuesday, fuel stations will gain access to an integrated Forecourt Management Solution (FMS).
This solution combines Cellulant’s robust payments infrastructure with Pesapal’s automation technology to modernise fuel station operations.
Key operations
The solution digitalises key operations such as inventory management, real-time sales tracking, pump-level automation, and instant payment reconciliation.
This is a crucial step for an industry that still uses a lot of paper and processes millions of litres every day.
According to the Energy Regulatory Board’s Zambia Energy Sector Report 2024, Zambia has more than 619 fuel stations, many of which still use manual pump recording, paper receipts, and delayed reconciliations.
According to industry estimates, fraud and operational inefficiencies cause fuel losses that surpass 5 per cent of monthly pump volumes, costing the industry billions in lost revenue.
“Fuel retail automation is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity,” said Kevin Khaemba, Chief Commercial Officer, Pesapal. “With Cellulant’s reach and Pesapal’s digital infrastructure, we’re delivering a solution that brings accountability, efficiency, and innovation to the heart of Zambia’s fuel economy.”
Nsamwa Banda, General Manager & Sales Director, Cellulant Zambia, commented on the collaboration: “For years, fuel station operators have faced the high cost of manual processes and revenue leakage. This partnership allows us to extend the power of digital payments even deeper into Zambia’s economy, giving businesses real-time visibility and control over every transaction. It’s about helping our customers run leaner, smarter operations and scale their businesses — while delivering convenience to every motorist at the pump.”
Benefits of Pesapal-Cellulant’s partnership to fuel stations
For fuel stations that currently use the Cellulant payment platforms, Tingg can now integrate Pesapal’s Forecourt Management Solution (FMS) to obtain complete operational visibility and control.
By digitising every transaction at the pump, fuel dealers can reduce losses, stop fraud, and improve the customer fueling experience. This will result in streamlined procedures and clear reporting.
“By embedding payments directly into the Pesapal Forecourt Management platform, petrol station owners gain a 360-degree view of their operations. Each sale is automatically closed with a specific payment method, ensuring that every litre is accurately accounted for and making reconciliation faster and more seamless,” said Dorothy Tarimo, Head of Business Solutions at Pesapal.
Key retail operations to be automated
The system facilitates automation in several critical retail operations, including digital invoicing, tax compliance, shift closure management, pump-to-payment synchronisation, and wet and dry stock tracking.
It is anticipated to significantly reduce operational bottlenecks, facilitate quicker decision-making, and increase digital service capabilities for fuel retailers in both urban and rural areas.
“At Cellulant, we believe payments are more than transactions,” said Richard Gesimba, Cellulant’s Chief Revenue Officer. “This partnership with Pesapal reflects the real impact of digital infrastructure — businesses access automation, reduce losses, and grow confidently. By making payments seamless and dependable, we’re not just digitising operations — we’re helping connect businesses to their ambitions and fuelling Zambia’s growth story.”
This partnership supports the government’s efforts to promote formal financial systems, inclusive commerce, and Zambia’s larger digital transformation objectives. Fuel retailers will gain operational agility, new revenue streams, and increased compliance through automation.
