Drivers travelling through southern Morocco will find more Shell service stations than they did a few years ago. The network has grown from 13 to 40 outlets, creating more than 850 jobs for local people. Vivo Energy Maroc and regional business group Myher Holding announced the expansion on Saturday through their joint venture, Sopetrole. The stations cover Laâyoune, Dakhla, Boujdour, Es-Smara, Akhfennir, Tarfaya and the Bir Gandouz-Guerguerat corridor.
But the expansion comes as a major change takes place behind the scenes. Vivo Energy is moving to take exclusive control of Sopetrole by acquiring the rights to operate the business and vote on decisions linked to Myher Holding’s 51% stake.
Information published in October 2026 by corporate transaction monitors, including The Meridian, and filings with Morocco’s Competition Council show that the transaction involves the acquisition of the usufruct of the 51% stake.
This means Vivo Energy gains exclusive operational and voting control, while Myher Holding retains ownership of the underlying shares.
Sopetrole was established in November 2019, with Myher Holding initially owning 51% and Vivo Energy Maroc holding the remaining 49%.
The expansion gives Vivo Energy a stronger presence along the Bir Gandouz-Guerguerat corridor, a key road linking Morocco to Mauritania and other markets in West Africa. The route is used by commercial vehicles transporting goods between the region and Europe.
The stations offer fuel, Shell Select convenience stores, car servicing and Shell-branded lubricants. The partners had also announced plans to build a major fuel storage depot in Laâyoune to improve regional supplies.
Matthias de Larminat, general manager of Vivo Energy Maroc, said the company had invested in the Southern Provinces early on.
“As the first multinational in the sector to have invested in the Southern Provinces, Vivo Energy Maroc made an early choice to support the development of these territories,” he said.
“Our strategic partnership with Myher Holding constitutes an essential lever of this shared ambition, and the tripling of our Shell service station network marks a new milestone today.”
Tarik Barakat, general manager of Sopetrole, said the company would focus on improving its services.
“The progression from 13 to 40 stations in a few years illustrates the journey accomplished by Sopetrole,” he said.
“Our priority today is to continue strengthening the quality, accessibility, and diversity of the services offered, directly meeting the needs of both individual and professional customers.”
The 40 stations represent almost one in 10 of Vivo Energy Maroc’s more than 420 service stations across the country.
Vivo Energy distributes Shell-branded fuels and lubricants, as well as Butagaz products. It was bought by Swiss-Dutch commodities trader Vitol in July 2022 in a $2.3bn deal. The acquisition led to its removal from the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges.
Myher Holding, which is wholly owned by the Ould Rachid family and led by Sidi Hamdi Ould Rachid, has interests in construction materials, logistics, shipbuilding, fuel distribution and hospitality.
