How African SMEs can set up LPG Business

The discovery of offshore oil and gas in Sub-Saharan Africa, from Mauritania to Angola via Nigeria, South Sudan, and the recent one in Ghana, the Jubilee Field, has made it imperative for SMEs to take advantage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG and its cheaper cost to transform the socio-economic environment of African communities

An LPG, is a solid investment and could be a great booster  for economic activities in Africa because public demand for it  is constant. Before embarking on that venture SMEs must  acquire an expert understanding of the trade. Knowledge is a surefire way to overcome difficulties often associated with any start-up business venture.

The list below  is essential to follow: 

1 -  Begin by finding an ideal location for your gas station. The best way to go is setting it up in a high traffic area, but isolated from habitations. You may seek the assistance of local government representative. They usually know more about sale listings. Once you have viewed the property and it has passed your criteria, commit to it. 

2 - After you have secured a location, you can now focus your attention to finding a good source for your product. Talk to as many oil and gas company representatives as you can. This will enable you to compare rates. Upon finding the best deal, have a solicitor review the contract for you. Caution must be observed on the legal aspects of the deal. 

Get in touch with the local EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and file all the mandatory paperwork such as license and permits. Also, get in touch with the local fire department and find out what their requirements are and make sure your gas station meets these requirements. 

3 - Create a working business plan. Make sure you include a provision on monitoring cash flow. Also, include marketing techniques to promote your gas station.