Mhandamabwe, Zimbabwe – April 15, 2026 — Puma Energy Zimbabwe, a leading global energy company, today officially opened its new retail service station in Mhandamabwe, marking a significant milestone in expanding access to energy in rural Zimbabwe.
At the launch event, Mr Clever Chingwara, Masvingo Province Director of Economic Affairs and Investment Promotion, speaking on behalf of the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs & Devolution, Honourable Ezra Chadzamira, said, “This is the ‘Zimbabwe is Open for Business’ mantra in action – transforming local landscapes into modern commercial centers in the heart of this rural community. We commend Puma Energy for bringing high-quality standards to Mhandamambwe. Beyond fuel, the convenience services and lubricants on offer here will raise the bar for service delivery in Chivi District.”
Strategically located at the intersection of the Bulawayo – Masvingo, and Beitbridge –Gweru highways, the Mhandamabwe retail station sits along a critical transport route connecting Zimbabwe to regional markets in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). This positioning enhances its role as a key enabler of trade, mobility, and economic activity across the southern corridor.
Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development, Honourable Yeukai Simbanegavi, reaffirmed Government’s commitment, under National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), to strengthening energy security through a diversified energy mix, enhanced availability and efficiency, and the decentralisation of power generation.She said, “Our Ministry is proud to partner with Puma Energy and other private sector stakeholders who continue to invest in infrastructure that drives national growth and development. We remain fully supportive of such initiatives as we work together towards Vision 2030.
For too long, rural areas have been viewed as places to leave in search of opportunity elsewhere. Developments such as this are changing the narrative. We affirm a new reality, rural communities must not be left behind, but positioned as centres of growth, investment, and innovation.”
Reaffirming Puma Energy’s commitment to Zimbabwe, Head of Africa, Ben Ouattara said the Mhandamabwe retail station reflects the company’s vision of inclusive development, enabling rural communities to participate in national and regional growth, while bridging the energy gap through reliable supply.
He said, “The Mhandamabwe retail station stands as a symbol of opportunity. It speaks to improved access to energy, greater mobility, and the unlocking of local economic potential for the communities it serves.”The Mhandamabwe station offers diesel, petrol, lubricants, and a Shop Express convenience store offering essential goods, alongside mobile money services, with LPG for cooking set to be introduced soon. It is the second rural service station in Zimbabwe, following the establishment of the first in the Vungu (Lower Gwelo) area of Midlands Province, located in Gweru District.
Reinforcing its commitment to energising communities, Puma Energy General Manager, Patrick Ngugi, said: “This retail station is already making a tangible difference—creating jobs during construction and sustaining livelihoods today. But its real impact goes further, unlocking opportunities for local businesses, suppliers, and entrepreneurs who will grow alongside it. For the Mhandamabwe community, this station is yours—built to serve you, support you, and grow with you. We are proud to be part of that journey.
In addition to making fuel available to the surrounding community and businesses, we are making everyday transactions easier by offering mobile money services. This allows farmers, traders, transport operators, and families to access financial services locally, without travelling long distances.”The recently introduced PRIS loyalty programme, now available in Mhandamabwe, enables customers to redeem fuel and other products through accumulated points.
The system also promotes cashless and secure transactions, supporting wider adoption of digital payments. This helps families and small businesses get more value from every transaction, making everyday life easier. The retail site, which has created permanent jobs and opportunities for local suppliers, is expected to support mining, agriculture, logistics, and export industries.Looking ahead, Puma Energy plans to further strengthen its investment in Zimbabwe’s rural energy landscape. To date Puma Energy has solarised 50% of its retail network in Zimbabwe, including the Mhandamabwe retail station, reducing reliance on the grid and improving operational reliability.
In the coming years, the company is focused on expanding rural retail access, increasing LPG availability, and diversifying its non-fuel and convenience store services across the network. The new site forms part of Puma Energy’s growing African footprint, where the company operates in over 16 countries, with more than 700 retail sites and supplies over 90 airports and airfields.
About Puma Energy
Puma Energy is a leading global downstream energy business, safely providing energy in more than 35 countries. Our downstream business segments include fuels, aviation, lubricants, and bitumen. Our purpose is energizing communities to help drive growth and prosperity by sustainably serving our customers’ needs in high-potential countries around the world. In Zimbabwe, Puma Energy is a leading fuel supplier with a network of over 60 stations across the community and is also supporting the country’s growing aviation sector through the supply of jet fuel across five airports. For further information visit: www.Pumaenergy.com
From Energy and Power Edition 21