Vodacom Tanzania and Vivo Energy Partner to Drive Digital Fuel Payments and Financial Inclusion

Commemorating its 25th year of serving Tanzanians, Vodacom Tanzania  has officially announced a pioneering partnership with oil giant Vivo Energy Tanzania . This strategic collaboration aims to significantly boost the adoption of digital payments for fuel purchases at its Engen stations nationwide, ushering in a new era of convenience and financial inclusion. The launch event, held at the Engen petrol station in Mikocheni, Dar es Salaam, drew key stakeholders from the oil sector, transport service providers, and M-Pesa customers.

The partnership is set to fortify the existing Pay by Phone system, extending its reach and enhancing its features. A key innovation introduced is “Chomoka” loans, providing vital fuel credits to various drivers, including private vehicle owners, dealerships, bajaji, and bodaboda operators. Additionally, Engen customers will soon have the option to access smartphones through a lending scheme from Vodacom, further expanding the accessibility of digital services across the country.

Epimack Mbeteni, M-Pesa Director at Vodacom Tanzania, highlighted the mutual benefits of the partnership, emphasizing the ease it brings to customers’ lives and the potential for revenue growth through secure, convenient, and modern services. He underscored that the Pay by Phone system offers customers a superior cashless payment experience, complemented by financial services like fuel credits via Chomoka and smartphone lending opportunities for drivers.

 “Through this partnership we have enabled customers from all networks and banks to pay for fuel via our Vodacom merchant solution (Lipa kwa simu). We have also introduced “Chomoka” – our Fuel Now, Pay Later solution, giving customers (especially bodaboda, bajaj and taxis) greater flexibility when they need it most. And every Saturday & Sunday, we’re rewarding our customers with 1 FREE liter of fuel for every M-Pesa purchase of TZS 10,000 or more. Special thanks to the Vivo Energy Tanzania CEO, Mr. Mohamed Bougriba, Vivo energy Tanzania team and Vodacom Tanzania team for making this possible. Together we are making everyday transactions smarter, simpler, and more rewarding.”

–Epimack Mbeteni, M-Pesa Director, Vodacom Tanzania.

As part of the launch incentives, Engen customers making M-Pesa payments for fuel purchases of TZS 10,000 or more on Saturdays and Sundays will be rewarded with a free liter of fuel. This special offer became available at all Engen stations nationwide starting Saturday, July 19, 2025.

Industry data reveals Vodacom Tanzania’s strong market leadership with 28 million active lines, and M-Pesa commanding over 40 percent of the mobile financial services market. The rapid increase in transaction volumes further illustrates Tanzanians’ growing reliance on mobile financial services for their daily activities.

Mohamed Bougriba, CEO of Vivo Energy Tanzania, reiterated his company’s commitment to delivering superior customer service for fuel and product payments. He expressed confidence that the partnership with Vodacom and M-Pesa adds significant value for every customer visiting Engen facilities across Tanzania, while simultaneously driving digital transformation within the oil sector. Bougriba also commented:

“This partnership with Vodacom Tanzania Plc, a pioneer in digital transformation and financial inclusion, is a union of vision, values and purpose.”

–Mohamed Bougriba, CEO, Vivo Energy Tanzania.

He also expressed gratitude to Epimack Mbeteni and the leadership teams from both Vodacom and Vivo Energy, acknowledging the dedication of all involved in making the collaboration possible, echoing the Swahili saying, “Umoja ni nguvu” (Unity is strength).

Both Vodacom Tanzania and Vivo Energy Tanzania extend a warm welcome to all drivers, whether operating private or commercial vehicles like cars, bajajs, and bodabodas, to take advantage of the free one-liter fuel offer by purchasing fuel starting at TZS 10,000 via M-Pesa payments every Saturday and Sunday.

The official signing of the memorandum of understanding, witnessed by Epimack Mbeteni and Mohamed Bougriba, took place on July 15, 2025, at the Engen Mikocheni petrol station in Dar es Salaam.