TotalEnergies marks 23rd DODO venture

DAR ES SALAAM: TOTAL ENERGIES Marketing Tanzania is expanding its fuel retail network through a franchise-based model that is drawing interest from local entrepreneurs.

The company’s latest outlet, officially opened in Ununio, Dar es Salaam, brings its total number of service stations in the country to over 110 and is the latest to operate under the Dealer-Owned DealerOperated (DODO) model.

The model allows individual investors to build and run stations under the TotalEnergies brand, with the company providing supply, training and operational guidance. The new station is operated by Mr Elineema Kweka, a businessman with an established footprint in the mining sector.

This marks his first investment in the energy industry. “I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the TotalEnergies team for their support throughout the journey from construction to launch,” said Mr Kweka.

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He added that community reception has been strong since the soft opening in March. Located along Bahari Beach Road, an area experiencing rapid residential and commercial development, the Ununio station is positioned to tap into a growing customer base of private motorists, motorcycle riders and small-scale commercial transporters.

The station offers fuel, a convenience shop, vehicle servicing, car wash and access to TotalEnergies Gas products. TotalEnergies Market Tanzania Managing Director Mamadou Ngom said the expansion reflects the company’s strategy to increase accessibility while enabling Tanzanian entrepreneurs to invest in the energy sector.

“We continue to seek forward-thinking business partners who can grow with us under the DODO model,” he said during the launch. The use of franchising in the downstream petroleum market allows companies like TotalEnergies to accelerate outlet growth while spreading capital risk.

For dealers, the model offers access to a well-established brand, logistical support and an existing customer base though success depends heavily on location and management.

The Ununio launch comes at a time when fuel marketers are increasingly targeting high-growth peri-urban zones as competition intensifies in central business districts.

TotalEnergies has not disclosed the financial outlay for the station or revenue expectations, but company officials indicated plans to continue rolling out additional DODO partnerships in other regions.