AA Rano Nigeria Limited has launched Nigeria’s first fully automated and unmanned fuel stations, marking a major technological shift in the country’s downstream petroleum sector.
The new stations, which operate 24 hours a day, are equipped with SmartPump technology and support digital payment options, allowing customers to purchase fuel without the presence of station attendants.
The initiative is being implemented in partnership with Petrosoft Limited, a Nigerian technology company known for developing enterprise and automation solutions for the oil and gas industry. Under the agreement, Petrosoft will deploy its automated fuel station management systems across AA Rano’s network of more than 200 retail outlets nationwide.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday, the automated stations are designed to improve operational efficiency, reduce product losses, enhance transparency in fuel dispensing, and offer round-the-clock convenience to motorists. The SmartPump system enables real-time monitoring of fuel sales, inventory levels, and transaction data.
AA Rano Nigeria Limited said the project aligns with its broader strategy to modernise fuel retailing in Nigeria and adopt globally competitive technologies, while Petrosoft described the rollout as a milestone for locally developed innovation in the energy sector.
While the move has been widely hailed as a breakthrough in automation and service delivery, it has also generated conversations around potential job displacement, with labour groups urging stakeholders to balance innovation with employment protection.
The launch positions AA Rano as a pioneer in automated fuel retailing in Nigeria, setting a precedent that could reshape how fuel is sold and managed across the country.
