Energy and infrastructure conglomerate Sahara Group has appointed Folake Soetan as the Managing Director of Arahas Global Oilfield Services, effective July 1, 2026, marking another strategic leadership move aimed at strengthening its integrated energy operations across Africa.
The appointment aligns with Sahara Group’s “Beyond XXX” corporate agenda, a long-term strategy focused on accelerating operational excellence, driving innovation, and expanding the company’s impact across the continent’s evolving energy landscape. Arahas Global Oilfield Services, the Group’s integrated oilfield services subsidiary, plays a pivotal role in delivering upstream support services and is expected to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and value creation throughout the energy value chain.
Announcing the appointment, Adedeji Odunsi, Executive Director at Sahara Group, said the decision underscores the company’s commitment to building future-ready businesses through strong leadership and disciplined execution.
According to Odunsi, Soetan’s appointment reflects Sahara Group’s determination to empower leaders capable of translating strategic ambition into measurable business outcomes while strengthening the organisation’s integrated energy ecosystem.
Soetan brings more than two decades of experience spanning Nigeria and Ghana’s energy industries, with expertise across the midstream, downstream, and power sectors. She is widely recognised for her tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Ikeja Electric, Nigeria’s largest electricity distribution company, where she led operational reforms, improved service delivery, expanded customer-focused initiatives, and strengthened the utility’s commercial performance.
Beyond her new responsibilities at Arahas, Soetan will also assume an expanded leadership role within the Sahara Power Group. The additional responsibility is expected to deepen collaboration between the company’s upstream oilfield services business and its growing power operations, enabling stronger operational integration and improved efficiency across the Group’s diversified energy portfolio.
Speaking on her appointment, Soetan described the opportunity as a significant milestone in advancing Africa’s energy services industry.
She said Arahas represents “a bold and timely opportunity to redefine how oilfield services are delivered across Africa, anchored on innovation, efficiency, and sustainability.”
Industry observers view the appointment as part of Sahara Group’s broader strategy to strengthen leadership across its businesses while positioning the company to capture opportunities created by Africa’s growing demand for reliable energy infrastructure. Greater integration between upstream services and power generation could enhance operational resilience, improve resource allocation, and support long-term business growth.
The move also reflects an increasing trend among diversified energy companies to leverage experienced executives with cross-sector expertise to drive efficiency and innovation across multiple segments of the energy value chain. As Africa continues to balance energy security with sustainability objectives, Sahara Group’s leadership strategy signals its intention to remain a key player in shaping the continent’s future energy landscape.
