The 2 brands launched their new campaign dubbed “Heads Up” earlier yesterday as a norm to improve safety for all school children in Uganda. In fact, the new campaign runs on a “No helmet No Boda” Motto

During the Road Safety launch held at Natete Junior School, SafeBoda’s Co-founder Ricky Rapa Thompson exclaimed the hailing giant’s take on improving road safety beyond manning safe hailing trips in Kampala.

On the other hand, Vivo Energy’s Managing Director Gilbert Assi further stretched the need for collective road safety practices amidst the fact that accidents are still on a fast-rising trend with low signs of meeting eager bears anytime soon.

How School Children will benefit from the new road Safety Heads Up Campaign

School Children at Natete Junior School served as the first beneficiaries of the new ‘Heads Up’ road safety campaign. Every Child received a free helmet as a sign of safer trips whenever they cruise to and from school

The Helmets branded with both SafeBoda and Vivo Energy logos come in a white finish and are available in almost all selected schools in Kampala.

However, as the two Companies__Vivo Energy and SafeBoda continue to preach their road safety message beyond just the normal road usage culture, their new campaign is an ignition of a brighter future for almost all road users in Uganda with School Children serving as the first campaign beneficiaries.

The EasyGo card is designed to enable Shell customers to shop at Shell service stations when buying fuel, car service, shopping, gas refills and at any outlet all over the world that accepts Visa payments. This means that the task of planning and budgeting for fuel for individuals and for commercial motorists including Uber drivers, boda-boda riders, taxi operators, and fleet owners is made easier.

The EasyGo card has best in class security features of Chip & Pin. The in-built ultra-secure technology secures your transactions, both at the service stations, shops and online. EasyGo cardholders will have access to a self-service online portal where they can view their real-time account balances, transaction statements and also change their pin whenever they desire.

Customers get instant SMS alerts on their mobile phones after every transaction so they can track their transactions. It further removes the need for motorists to carry cash for fuel and shopping, thus reducing the risks that come with carrying cash.

To get the EasyGo card, customers will only need provide either one of these identity documents: National ID, passport or driver’s permit, along with their mobile phone number.  The card will then be processed and issued immediately, making it hassle-free and convenient to register and top up. Customers can top up the card at Shell service stations, as well as through mobile money by dialing the code *233*40#yes to follow the prompts.

Speaking at the launch of the EasyGo card, the Managing Director Vivo Energy Uganda, Mr. Gilbert Assi, said “Unlike other card payments that come with charges, our fuel card has no transaction fees or subscription fees. The card is also designed to give you rewards and discounts on your purchases at Shell service stations. This card also enables people who don’t have a bank account to access Visa services without a bank account. It is an opportunity for financial inclusion for all our customers.”

Vivo Energy’s Retail Manager, Issa Karanja added that “The introduction of the EasyGo card amplifies Vivo Energy’s position as an innovator and customer-centric company in the fuel industry. A wide range of our customers participated in the product development process and the end product includes features requested by customers – it is no wonder the product has had great traction already.”

The EasyGo card was developed because of the growing trend of cashless and online transactions in Uganda. It has also been developed with a reward on loading and cashback for every use at the forecourt for Shell loyal customers, as well as amazing discounts for subsequent promotions Vivo Energy will run. The EasyGo card works across borders and some of our customers have used the card at Shell service stations in Kenya.

Issa Karanja, Vivo Energy Retail manager

The Managing Director of Barclays Bank, Mr. Rakesh Jha pointed out that, “The EasyGo card is the only fuel card on the market that is Visa enabled thus giving a user access to a wider range of services.”

“By extending outside traditional banking boundaries, this partnership creates an opportunity for us to support the acceleration of financial inclusion since prepaid products play a vital role in reducing the dependence of cash while allowing us to reach more people,” he added.

According to Mr Gilbert Assi the Vivo energy Managing director Airtel money shall be available across all 81 shell stations in the country, however when customers transact using Airtel money they stand a chance to win big prizes from shell raging from free airtime to shopping vouchers all bundled for subscribers who make their way to the station and transact with Uganda’s second largest mobile network. Furthermore subscribers will be able to purchase fuel and pay using Airtel money which is quite an amazing move to help customers from the hustle of having to withdraw their money first then pay by cash.

Airtel money has always been present at shell stations though not officially launched by vivo energy and thus it was only available on selected stations unlike this time where this service is going to be available on all shell stations country wide.
This leaves Airtel Uganda’s top competitor Mtn Uganda with a new move clue where we expect mtn mobile money to be launched on a rival station inorder to indirectly launch the same campaign similar to the shell-airtel launch.

Apart from Airtel money Vivo energy Uganda has always partnered with other companies to bring services closer to their customers since it would be frustrating for the customer to refuel but have to board a motorcycle in-order to ride to a nearest Atm machine and withdraw money then back to clear the outstanding payment, Atm machines,restaurants,shell select supermarkets among others are services that can be accessed by customers while they refuel at their favorite shell station with standard chartered being one of the top banks to establish Atm points evident at Shell Kiira road among other stations country wide.