Billionaire-backed petrol station quickly taking over South Africa
Glencore’s Astron Energy had become a significant petrol station brand in South Africa, with a growing network of petrol stations and one of the country’s largest oil refineries.
Recognisable by its bright orange branding, Astron has rapidly expanded its retail network while operating one of South Africa’s key fuel production sites, positioning itself as a serious competitor to long-established players such as BP, Engen, and TotalEnergies.
Glencore entered the local fuel sector in 2017 when it purchased American oil major Chevron’s Southern African assets for $1 billion.
This gave it control of the Caltex brand and a strategic foothold in both fuel production and nationwide distribution.
The most important asset in the deal was the Cape Town refinery in Milnerton, which has since received significant investment and attention.
The refinery, which first opened in 1966, now produces up to 100,000 barrels of refined fuel products per day, including petrol, diesel, jet fuel and liquefied gas.
This production supports South Africa’s domestic fuel supply while also contributing to exports into neighbouring markets.
After a shutdown period for repairs and upgrades, the refinery restarted operations in 2023 and is once again running at full capacity.
Glencore CEO Gary Nagle described the refinery as cash-generative and strategically important, while Astron Energy CEO Thabiet Booley noted that the site supports thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
It is considered the third-largest refinery in the country and is estimated to contribute roughly R95 billion to the South African economy.
While the refinery remains at the heart of Astron’s business, the most visible part of its expansion is happening on South African roads.
Since 2022, the company has been rebranding more than 800 Caltex petrol stations to Astron Energy.
This rebrand has progressed rapidly, with the most recent update reaching its 600th service station in Westville North, KwaZulu-Natal.
Already working towards its 700th station in South Africa
The milestone highlights the speed of the rollout, with around one station being rebranded every day since the company hit its 500th site in July.
The updated stations are designed to present a modern, clean and user-friendly forecourt experience aimed at building customer loyalty.
John Bailey, Astron Energy’s Retail and Marketing General Manager, said the focus is on what customers value most, which is reliable service and a welcoming environment.
The newly rebranded site in Westville has already earned recognition, winning the Best Fuel Filling Station and Best Car Wash categories in the Best of Durban 2025 Awards for a second consecutive year.
According to Bailey, the company is now working toward its next target of reaching 700 rebranded sites, part of its broader aim to become one of the biggest retail fuel brands in the country.
Astron’s presence in South Africa may seem new due to the rebranding effort, but its history stretches back more than a century.
It began operating in 1911 as the Texaco Company and later launched the Caltex brand in 1936 as a joint venture between Chevron and Texaco.
The company has supplied fuel to South Africans for decades, and the rebrand represents more of a shift in identity and direction than a completely new entry into the market.
Much of Astron’s expansion momentum is tied to Glencore’s leadership, which maintains deep links to South Africa.
Both former Glencore CEO Ivan Glasenberg and current CEO Gary Nagle were born and educated in Johannesburg.
Glasenberg, who studied at the University of the Witwatersrand and later built Glencore into one of the largest commodity traders in the world, is still estimated to be worth about $8.8 billion and continues to visit family in the country.
Nagle, also trained at Wits, has publicly defended South Africa in global forums, arguing that key infrastructure challenges are solvable and that the country remains an important long-term investment destination.
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