Orange Customers Now Have Access To 1,000+ Shell Stations In Africa

Vivo Energy, the Shell licensee in Africa, and Orange announced Tuesday (Jan. 24) a collaborative Pan-African partnership agreement in which Orange Money customers will be able to cash in and cash out money from their Orange money account and pay in any Shell station that’s operated by Vivo Energy.

In a press release, the companies said the service, which is already available in Mali, Cote d’Ivoire and Madagascar, will be extended to the rest of the common footprint in Africa by the middle of 2017. The two teamed up as an effort to strengthen both companies’ footprints and improve their customer’s experiences. With the new deal, Orange Money customers have access to a network or more than 1,000 Shell service stations. Vivo Energy customers get access to the Orange Money platform.

“Mobile money represents a huge opportunity in Africa. Mobile money services have gained momentum in a number of countries across the continent, led by operators, like Orange (www.Orange.com), looking to add to their portfolio value-added services,” said David Mureithi, executive vice president at Vivo Energy. “ This initiative fits our overall strategy of offering innovating solutions [and] a convenient experience to our customers and developing a lasting relationship with them. Through this alliance with Orange Money, we want to expand the range of services we offer to our customers and also allow them to pay in a simple and easy way on our retail sites.”

Meanwhile Thierry Millet, executive vice president in charge of mobile financial services at Orange Group, said the deal showcases that Orange Money has evolved beyond money transfer to cover all the essential transactions that its customers perform each day.

“Together with Vivo Energy, through this multi-partnership, we significantly increase the number of merchants that accept mobile money transactions. This is a real gain of proximity for our shared customers that can pay in a fast and secure way and cash in and cash out from any Vivo Energy outlet,” he said.