Pesapal Drive is tackling one of East Africa’s most persistent business challenges: fuel inefficiency and fraud.
Designed for transporters and fleet operators, the platform delivers real-time insights that turn fuel management from a liability into a competitive edge.
Launched on October 30, 2025, Pesapal Drive promises to transform fleet operations from manual logbooks to intelligent dashboards, providing the transparency that logistics firms, SMEs, and enterprises have been demanding.
But can it truly become the gold standard for fleet management in East Africa?
The Rising Crisis in Fleet Management
East Africa’s logistics sector is booming under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), but inefficiencies are cutting deep.
Fuel theft, paper-based reconciliation, and fragmented payment systems collectively drain millions of dollars annually from transport operators.
Traditional methods such as phone-based approvals, handwritten logs, and delayed reconciliations invite fraud and make compliance with new digital tax systems like Kenya’s eTIMS or Uganda’s EFRIS challenging.
Founded in 2009 by Agosta Liko, Pesapal saw the opportunity to merge fintech precision with operational tech.
With more than 300 employees across five countries, it has evolved from a digital payments processor into a regional innovation hub, and Drive is its boldest move yet.
Inside Pesapal Drive: Built for Africa, Not Imported
Unlike generic global fleet software, Pesapal Drive was designed specifically for Africa’s realities, including mobile money dominance, cross-border trade, and fuel station fraud.
1. Real-Time Fuel Monitoring
- Tracks every litre of fuel through live dashboards accessible via mobile and web.
- Supports multi-country operations across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Zambia.
- Early pilots in Nairobi show 20–30% savings in fuel waste.
2. Advanced Fraud Prevention
- Rule-based spending caps by vehicle or driver, automated approvals, and geofenced verification.
- EMV and NFC card integration ensures secure, contactless fuelling.
- Instant alerts on suspicious activity reduce unauthorised fuelling.
3. Automated Compliance and Reporting
- Generates digital invoices, audit-ready statements, and tax-compliant reports.
- Cuts month-end reconciliation time by up to 50%, according to pilot users.
| Feature | Traditional Systems | Pesapal Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Monitoring | Manual logs, delayed data | Real-time dashboards |
| Fraud Control | Phone-based approvals | Automated limits, live alerts |
| Compliance | Manual audits | Instant eTIMS/EFRIS-ready reports |
| Scalability | Single-country focus | Cross-border integration |
| Cost Impact | 10–20% loss from inefficiencies | Up to 30% cost reduction |
Plugged into Pesapal’s Digital Ecosystem
Drive is built on Pesapal’s Forecourt Management Solution (FMS), the cloud-based platform already running at 200+ fuel stations in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, with expansion underway in Rwanda and Zambia.
When a driver arrives at a Pesapal-powered station, Drive automatically verifies the vehicle, applies preset rules, and processes the transaction instantly via M-Pesa, card, or Airtel Money.
This unified ecosystem gives:
- Fleet owners: real-time oversight and control.
- Fuel stations: faster digital payments and fewer disputes.
- Regulators: compliant, traceable data flows.
“Drive removes the old trade-off between trust and control,” said Agosta Liko, CEO of Pesapal. “Business owners can now see everything instantly, without micromanaging.”
READ ALSO:What’s Next After Riverbank and Pesapal? Inside KCB’s Fintech Vision
Why Drive Could Redefine Fleet Management in East Africa
In a market dominated by global platforms like Motive and Verizon Connect, Pesapal Drive’s local-first approach offers key advantages:
- Regional Footprint: Operations in five East African markets, aligned with AfCFTA’s digital trade agenda.
- Proven Infrastructure: Trusted by thousands of merchants and 200+ fuel stations.
- Accessible Pricing: No setup fees, cloud scalability, and savings that SMEs can reinvest.
- Data Intelligence: Analytics for route optimisation and long-term sustainability planning, including EV adoption.
Industry watchers are already taking note. TechLeaders Africa hailed Drive as “a major leap for operational efficiency,” while early adopters describe it as “having eyes on every pump.”
The Road Ahead: From Insight to Impact
Challenges remain, mainly digital literacy and network expansion, but Pesapal Drive has momentum on its side. As adoption grows, the platform could serve as the standard operating layer for fleet management across East Africa’s logistics and construction sectors.
More than a tech rollout, Drive represents a shift toward a data-driven business culture where every transaction fuels accountability, sustainability, and growth.
As Agosta Liko puts it, “We’re helping businesses run their fleets the way they should be run: efficiently, securely, and profitably.”
Pesapal Kenya: Simplifying Digital Payments Across Africa
Pesapal Kenya is a leading digital payments platform offering secure and convenient transaction solutions for individuals and businesses.
Through the Pesapal app, users can easily make payments, track transactions, and manage their accounts via the Pesapal login and Pesapal login password feature.
Businesses using Pesapal Openfloat benefit from real-time expense management and automated payment tools.
For enquiries or assistance, customers can reach Pesapal customer care through their official channels. T
he company also offers exciting opportunities via Pesapal careers, while transparent Pesapal pricing ensures affordability for merchants of all sizes.
Ronnie Paul is a seasoned writer and analyst with a prolific portfolio of over 1,000 published articles, specialising in fintech, cryptocurrency, climate change, and digital finance at Africa Digest News.
Leave a Reply