How Fuelmetrics tackles Nigeria’s internet woes to expand self-service fuel terminals

In a country where internet connectivity often falters, Fuelmetrics Limited is pushing forward with self-service fuel terminals designed to operate reliably even during outages.

The company’s recent launch in partnership with Eterna Plc highlights a system built for Nigeria’s realities, allowing motorists to pay and dispense fuel using cards or digital vouchers without halting operations due to network issues.

Olayide Folorunso, Managing Director of Fuelmetrics, sat down for an exclusive interview after the Lagos launch event. He explained how the technology addresses inconsistent internet, a key barrier to digitising Nigeria’s fuel retail sector. “We have engineered our solution specifically for the Nigerian environment, so the terminals have an offline functionality,” Folorunso said.

“On the whole, our technology stack is designed with local caching capabilities and ‘store-and-forward’ logic. While real-time authorisation is the gold standard for digital vouchers, the system is built to maintain core pump-control functions and data integrity even during intermittent connectivity, ensuring that the station does not grind to a halt due to a network flicker.”

This offline mode stores transaction data locally and forwards it when connectivity returns, preventing disruptions at the pump. Folorunso noted that in Nigeria, where power and internet fluctuations are common, such features are essential for widespread adoption. Without them, self-service terminals could fail during outages, leading to long queues and lost revenue for stations. By prioritising resilience, Fuelmetrics says it aims to make these terminals viable across urban and rural areas, where internet stability varies widely.

The partnership with Eterna Plc marks the start of this rollout, beginning in Lagos. Folorunso described the terminals as a shift from traditional attendant-led service. “Traditional pumps rely on manual intervention, where an attendant must physically start and stop the pump and handle cash,” he said. “Our terminal is ‘smart’ because it acts as the digital brain of the pump. A motorist simply uses a card or digital voucher at the terminal to authorise the transaction. The system then automatically releases the exact volume of fuel paid for, integrating payment, pump control, and data logging into one seamless, automated loop without manual overrides.”

To ensure usability amid varying digital literacy, the interface mimics familiar ATM screens. “We followed a ‘keep it simple’ philosophy for the interface, using clear, intuitive prompts similar to a standard ATM to guide the user through the process,” Folorunso explained. “By reducing the steps to inserting or tapping a card, inputting the amount, and fuelling, we have ensured that even those who are not tech-savvy can complete a transaction in less time than it takes to find change in a glovebox.”

Folorunso stressed that inconsistent internet has long hindered tech adoption in Nigeria’s downstream sector. Imported systems often overlook these issues, treating them as edge cases rather than norms. “Imported solutions are often ‘black boxes’ that do not account for Nigeria’s specific challenges, such as power fluctuations, unique fleet management needs, or local payment habits,” he said.

This home-grown approach allows for rapid adjustments, like enhancing offline modes based on real-world feedback. Folorunso pointed out that during testing, the team simulated network drops to refine the store-and-forward system, ensuring data syncs accurately once online. This, according to the company MD, not only boosts reliability but also builds trust among station owners wary of tech failures.

Beyond operations, the terminals combat fuel theft and cash leakages, issues exacerbated by manual processes. “Our technology eliminates the hidden losses that occur through manual recording, pump manipulation, or cash skimming. Because every litre dispensed is tied to a digital payment or an authorised voucher, there is a 100 percent reconciliation rate,” Folorunso said.

Integration with Remis, Fuelmetrics’ fleet monitoring subsidiary, extends this to corporate users. “With the integration between our self-service terminals and Remis, companies can now monitor fuel spend in real time as their vehicles transact at participating stations,” he added. 

Folorunso said that organisations no longer rely on paper receipts or after-the-fact expense reports but gain direct oversight of consumption patterns, spending behaviour, and potential anomalies, creating a completely transparent system.

Even during internet lapses, local caching ensures logs are preserved, syncing later to maintain oversight. This feature is crucial in regions with poor connectivity, where fleet managers need uninterrupted data flow.

In line with Nigeria’s cashless policy, the shift to digital payments reduces cash use at stations. “Fuel stations have traditionally been cash-heavy environments, making them targets for security risks,” he noted. “By shifting to cards and digital vouchers, we are directly supporting the Central Bank of Nigeria’s cashless mandate. This reduces the security burden of moving large sums of physical cash and brings more downstream transactions into the formal financial ecosystem.”

Cybersecurity remains a priority to the company, according to Folorunso, especially with digital transactions. “Security was a foundational consideration in building this platform,” Folorunso said. “Our system uses end-to-end encryption for all payment transactions to ensure that sensitive card data is never stored directly on the terminal. For us, cybersecurity is not an add-on; it is embedded in the architecture.”

Scaling plans focus on major cities first. “We are very intentional about our rollout strategy,” Folorunso said. “After Lagos, our next major focus is on other major cities around the country, including Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, and others with a rapidly growing appetite for structured, technology-driven retail systems.

On employment, he addressed automation concerns. “Technology is not replacing the attendant; rather, it is evolving their role,” Folorunso said. “Instead of being manual pump operators and cash handlers, attendants become customer service ambassadors. This represents a shift from low-skill manual labour to higher-value service roles.”

Looking ahead, Folorunso outlined future trends. First is full station automation, where pricing, dispensing, reconciliation, payments, and reporting are fully integrated in real time with minimal manual intervention.

Second is data-driven inventory optimisation. Stations will rely on predictive analytics to anticipate demand patterns, manage supply cycles, and reduce stockouts or overstocking. Third is ecosystem integration, where fuel retail connects seamlessly with loyalty platforms, fleet management systems, and broader digital payment networks.

Fuelmetrics’ strategy centers on overcoming internet inconsistencies to drive self-service adoption. By embedding offline capabilities, the company positions these terminals as a practical solution for Nigeria’s fuel sector, potentially transforming how millions access and pay for fuel