Boston Moonsamy, Managing Director at Azelis, believes that great businesses are built not just on products, but on relationships, responsiveness, and a relentless commitment to solving customer challenges. This belief has enabled him to remain an influential figure in a highly competitive industry despite the acquisition of Umongo Petroleum, the company he co-founded, which has changed majority ownership twice.
In his current role as Managing Director, Boston focuses on developing and implementing a defined strategy to drive the vision and mission of Azelis RSA. His responsibilities include expanding business across Sub-Saharan Africa and growing the lubricants business structure in the Middle East and Africa via the Azelis footprint.
Boston is a “firm driver of shifting from the inward mindset theory to the outward mindset theory.” His main focus is on the needs and challenges of his customers and team, whom he empowers, rather than on his own. Also, “I’m a firm believer in making a difference in whatever we do.”
The Professional Journey
Boston’s professional journey began more than thirty years ago in the R&D labs of Chevron. It was there that he gained a solid technical foundation in lubricant formulation and product innovation. However, his interests were not confined to science alone. While immersing himself in the technical work, he found himself increasingly drawn to the commercial side of the business. He recalls being curious about how products moved from lab to market, how supply chains were optimized, and, most importantly, how customer needs shaped innovation.
“That curiosity led me into supply chain and planning roles, where I gained first-hand experience in procurement, production, and logistics,” Boston says. He saw how process discipline and operational efficiency could directly influence customer satisfaction and business growth. During this time, he also discovered his passion for building systems that worked for the customer.
After nearly a decade at Chevron, Boston moved to African Petroleum Additives in 2001, a shift, he says, that marked the beginning of his path toward commercial leadership. Then came the most defining moment of his career: the co-founding of Umongo Petroleum in 2005. “It was a bold step into entrepreneurship, driven by a desire to create a business that was deeply customer-centric,” he says.
Umongo was built on technical excellence, but Boston points out that its success came from an understanding of customers’ pain points and the ability to deliver tailored solutions with speed, reliability, and integrity. “The transition from technical expert to commercial leader shaped my entire career,” he says.
Today, as Managing Director of Azelis SA, he leads with a clear focus on sales performance, process optimization, and customer intimacy. Each phase of his career has made him more resilient, shaped his vision, and taught him the importance of aligning technical and commercial excellence with customer-centricity.
Transition from Umongo to Azelis
In 2017, Omnia Group acquired a majority stake in Umongo, which it later sold to Azelis in 2021. Boston describes the transition from Umongo to Azelis as a strategic alignment built on trust, market insight, and shared values. At the core, there were two guiding principles: maintaining strong relationships and understanding the African market.
He attributes Umongo’s success to its ability to connect global principals with local customers through technical excellence and commercial agility. “We built long-standing partnerships with companies like Chevron Oronite and Evonik,” Boston says. “We achieved this not only by distributing their products, but also by understanding the nuances of the African market and delivering tailored solutions with speed and reliability.” This combination of customer intimacy and market knowledge made Umongo an attractive platform, which has enabled Azelis’s expansion into Sub-Saharan Africa.
Following acquisition by Azelis, Boston’s role became critical in ensuring continuity in relationships with global principals and local customers. Under his leadership, the team successfully preserved the entrepreneurial spirit and customer-centric culture that had defined Umongo, while ensuring the integration of Azelis’s global innovation capabilities and operational scale. “Clear communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to excellence guided every step of the integration,” Boston points out.
He and his team succeeded in aligning visions, in addition to merging systems. The DNA that made Umongo successful has remained intact. According to Boston, Azelis SA continues to thrive because of the very qualities that made Umongo successful in the first place: strong relationships, deep market understanding, and a relentless focus on customer value.
Ensuring Azelis Remains Agile and Competitive
Boston notes that to remain agile in Sub-Saharan Africa, speed, strategic foresight, and local insight are essential, along with the ability to translate global partnerships into meaningful local value. To ensure that, they have developed a decentralized model that empowers their teams to lead with autonomy. They also remain aligned to their global standards and shared purpose.
One of Azelis’s key differentiators is its ability to bring world-class technologies and products from global principals into African markets in a way that is relevant, accessible, and impactful. “We don’t just distribute,” Boston points out. “We localize.” They adapt formulations and navigate regulatory environments. In addition to that, they ensure technical support is tailored to the realities of each market.
Boston points out that Africa’s logistics landscape is complex and characterized by infrastructure gaps, regulatory diversity, and unpredictable supply chain dynamics. To overcome such barriers, they have built robust planning systems, invested in digital platforms for real-time visibility, and developed strong relationships with local distributors and transport partners. Also, their teams are trained to anticipate disruptions and respond with agility.
“Above all, we stay close to our customers,” Boston says. As they listen and co-create, they are able to deliver with precision. And, regardless of the customer, their approach is the same: understand the need, simplify the process, and exceed expectations. “That customer intimacy, combined with global reach and operational resilience, is what keeps Azelis SA competitive in a rapidly evolving market,” Boston says.
The Most Defining Moment
“One of the most defining moments came in the early stages of building Umongo Petroleum,” Boston says. As a new player in a highly technical and relationship-driven industry, establishing credibility with global principals proved to be a major challenge. Many were cautious about partnering with a young company in the complex, fragmented African market. “That initial hesitation was a setback,” Boston recalls.
However, they didn’t view this setback negatively. Instead, it pushed them to sharpen their focus. Boston says that they invested heavily in technical capability, built a customer-first culture, and made sure every interaction reflected professionalism and reliability. They also worked hard to manage expectations. According to Boston, they were transparent about what they could deliver, and then consistently exceeded those expectations. “Over time, that approach paid off,” he adds.
In addition to showing their technical strength, they proved that they understood the market and were committed to long-term value. This led to securing strategic partnerships. “That breakthrough wasn’t just about landing deals,” Boston says. “It was about earning trust.”
“Scaling from that point required discipline,” he adds. “We grew rapidly, but never at the expense of our values.” They stayed close to their customers, remained agile in their operations, and built a reputation for excellence. That ultimately made Umongo a natural fit for Azelis.
A Great Achievement: Integration of Two Distinct Entities
Boston has led the integration of two distinct entities, Umongo Petroleum and Orkila South Africa, into a unified Azelis South Africa platform. It is one of the achievements he is most proud of.
He explains that after the acquisition, each company brought its own strengths. Umongo had an expertise in lubricants and petrochemicals, while Orkila had an established presence in life sciences and industrial chemicals. “Bringing these businesses together demanded operational alignment, cultural integration, strategic clarity, and a commitment to preserving what made each entity successful,” Boston says.
At the same time, for him, it was an unfamiliar territory. He had to learn the intricacies of segments like pharmaceuticals, personal care, and food ingredients, which were outside his original domain, lubricants. “That learning curve was both challenging and energizing,” Boston says. “It pushed me to expand my leadership lens, build new relationships, and understand the unique needs of customers across a broader spectrum.”
What makes this achievement stand out is the scale and complexity of the transformation and the fact that they achieved it without losing sight of their values. “We’ve grown, diversified, and evolved, but we’ve remained customer-focused, technically driven, and true to our entrepreneurial roots,” Boston says.
The Role of Managing Director
Boston’s role spans strategic leadership, operational oversight, and cultural stewardship. On any given day, he is balancing long-term growth planning with immediate execution.
“Prioritization comes down to impact,” he says. So, his primary focus is on decisions that drive value for their customers, empower their people, and strengthen their market position. He devotes time to reflection and connection as well. Boston can often be found checking in with teams, mentoring emerging leaders, and staying close to the ground.
Overseeing operations is just one part of Boston’s responsibilities as a leader. He also sets a clear direction, removes barriers that hinder progress, and creates an environment where people can do their best work.
Does Boston’s demanding role allow him to maintain a work-life balance? According to him, balance is a constant pursuit, not a fixed state. Fortunately, he has a strong support system. “My wife Sandy has been my anchor throughout this journey,” he says. “Most of the time I trust her judgment as someone looking from the outside and understanding the inside to help me maintain balance.” For Boston, his three sons are a constant source of inspiration. They teach him daily that there is life beyond business, and little moments matter more than the biggest business deals. “So, in essence, I am blessed to have guides in my life beyond my own instincts,” Boston says. And he makes it a point to be present in the moment, whether in the boardroom or at home.
And, from his busy schedule, Boston also carves out time for reflection, fitness, and community involvement. He serves as a trustee of the George Ramalu Trust and contributes to community and social upliftment programs. These commitments keep him grounded in purpose beyond business. “We RISE by LIFTING others” is a belief he lives by.
“Ultimately, balance comes from clarity of priorities,” Boston says. “Family, health, and legacy are non-negotiables for me.”
Staying Grounded and Motivated
By staying connected with his family, team, and purpose, Boston remains grounded. “Leadership can be isolating,” he says, “but I make it a point to listen, learn, and lead with humility.” And, for Boston, “impact” is a key motivator.
He believes that every challenge is an opportunity to grow, and every success is a chance to uplift others. “I’m energized by the people I work with and the future we are building together,” he says.
Vision for the Next Five Years
In the coming five years, Boston is committed to executing Azelis’s strategy and supporting its vision of being the reference innovation service provider in the industry for its focus market segments. For this, he is focused on expanding their footprint in the lubricants market, strengthening technical capabilities, and driving sustainable growth while leveraging their digital platforms, technical labs, and local talent.
Boston and his team also continue to build strong partnerships with blue-chip principals and co-create solutions tailored to African markets. Most importantly, they are creating a “culture of excellence,” which they believe will carry them forward.
He underscores that, for them, “It is about building business partnerships, not just having suppliers and customers.”
A Legacy for Future Generations
At Azelis SSA, Boston and his team are championing sustainability, diversity, and innovation to leave a lasting legacy for future generations. He points out that through Azelis’s Action 2030 program, they are reducing their environmental footprint, promoting bio-based solutions, and supporting circular economy principles.
Azelis prides itself on its team of highly talented people and lives by innovation and resourcefulness, agility and empowerment, collaboration and respect, transparency and results-orientedness. “Creating inclusive, empowering workplaces is central to our legacy,” Boston says. “I want Azelis SA to be known not just for what we achieved, but for how we achieved it — with integrity, empathy, and purpose.”
Advice for Emerging Leaders
Boston believes that leaders should not hold onto knowledge but pass it on. His advice to emerging leaders stems from that belief: “Be generous with what you know.” He points out that one of the most “powerful things” someone can do as a leader is to share their experience, teach others, and create space for people to grow. So, he encourages emerging leaders to invest in people, along with developing a strong technical foundation. That investment can be in the form of mentorship, listening, or guidance.
According to Boston, the industry is evolving quickly, and those who lead with curiosity, humility, and a willingness to uplift others will go the furthest. “Leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room,” he points out. “It’s about helping others find theirs.”
“If you can lead with purpose, stay grounded in your values, and commit to developing those around you, not only will you succeed, but beyond that, you will leave a legacy,” Boston adds.
