A.A. Rano Partners Petrosoft to Launch Automated Fuel Stations Nationwide

In a major technological leap for Nigeria’s petroleum retail sector, Auwalu Abdullahi Rano (AAR) Nigeria Limited is set to revolutionize fuel purchasing with the introduction of fully automated, attendant-free fuel stations operating round-the-clock.

The groundbreaking initiative, announced Wednesday from Kano, marks a significant shift in how Nigerians will access fuel, eliminating the traditional need for pump attendants through advanced digital payment and dispensing systems.

At the heart of this transformation is a strategic collaboration between A.A. Rano and Petrosoft Limited, a homegrown technology company specializing in oil and gas management solutions. The partnership will see cutting-edge automation rolled out across A.A. Rano’s extensive network of 200 retail outlets, spanning urban centers and strategic border locations with neighboring countries including Niger, Chad, Benin and Cameroon.

Company founder Alhaji Auwalu Abdullahi Rano, a major player in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, detailed the scope of the project in his Wednesday announcement. “The self-dispensing fuel pumps with instant payment are being launched in partnership with Petrosoft Limited, a Nigerian technology firm that developed management systems for the oil and gas industry in Nigeria,” he stated.

The rollout timeline is set for early next year, with operations scheduled to begin in January 2026. “Our first automated fuel stations are expected to commence operations from January 2026,” he said, explaining that the system will allow motorists and motorcyclists to refuel and make instant payments to complete their transactions without fuel attendants at the stations, 24 hours daily.

Beyond convenience, Rano emphasized the technology’s role in addressing longstanding concerns about fuel measurement accuracy and operational efficiency. The smart pumping infrastructure aims to eliminate time wastage at filling stations while providing customers with verifiable assurance that their payments correspond exactly to the fuel quantity received. This transparency feature addresses a common complaint among Nigerian motorists regarding potential discrepancies in fuel dispensing.

Dr Joshua Denila, who heads Petrosoft Limited as Chief Executive Officer, framed the development as a testament to Nigerian innovation’s capacity to solve local challenges. The digitalized fuel dispensing and payment project, according to Denila, demonstrates how home-grown technology can overcome the myriad challenges in Nigeria’s retail fuel market.

Emphasizing national pride in the technological achievement, Denila said, “Our fuel dispensing and payment systems are developed locally and built to international standards.”

The Petrosoft CEO further outlined the scalability of the solution, noting that the technology’s design accommodates various operational scales—from standalone retail stations to major fuel depot facilities across Nigeria. This flexibility positions the system as a potential industry standard for fuel distribution efficiency nationwide.

The move comes as Nigeria’s fuel retail sector continues to evolve amid broader economic changes, with automation increasingly viewed as essential for improving service delivery and reducing operational overhead in the petroleum downstream sector.