Sahara Group Appoints Folake Soetan as Arahas MD
Sahara Group has appointed Mrs. Folake Soetan as the Managing Director of Arahas Global Oilfield Services, as the company continues to advance its Beyond XXX agenda focused on operational excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth across Africa. The appointment takes effect from July 1, 2026.
Executive Director of Sahara Group, Adedeji Odunsi, said the appointment reflects the company’s commitment to building strong leadership that will drive growth and long-term impact across its energy businesses.
“Our focus is on building future-ready businesses with strong leadership, clear strategy, and disciplined execution. Folake’s appointment reflects our commitment to empowering leaders who can deliver measurable results across our energy ecosystem,” he said.
Arahas, Sahara Group’s integrated oilfield services company, is focused on transforming oilfield services across the energy value chain through innovation, operational efficiency, and sustainability.
As Managing Director, Soetan will lead the company’s efforts to deliver value-driven solutions to customers and partners while strengthening Arahas as a globally competitive business built on African expertise, engineering excellence, and operational reliability. Her leadership is also expected to improve production efficiency, extend asset life, and enhance operational performance across the energy value chain.
In addition to leading Arahas, Soetan will take on expanded responsibilities within the Sahara Power Group. Drawing on her experience as the former Chief Executive Officer of Ikeja Electric, she will support efforts to improve operational performance, strengthen collaboration across the group’s businesses, and enhance the delivery of reliable electricity solutions.
According to Odunsi, the dual role reflects Sahara Group’s strategy to strengthen integration between its upstream and power businesses, creating greater efficiency and sustainable value across Africa’s energy sector.
Speaking on her appointment, Soetan said she looks forward to leading Arahas at a critical stage of its growth.
“Arahas presents an opportunity to redefine oilfield services across Africa through innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. I look forward to working with the team to build a high-performing business that supports our Beyond XXX agenda and contributes to a more resilient energy future for the continent,” she said.
Soetan brings extensive leadership and transformation experience from Nigeria and Ghana’s energy sector. She has held leadership roles across the midstream, downstream, power, and aviation sectors, and now joins the upstream services business.
As CEO of Ikeja Electric, she led major operational and organisational improvements, strengthened customer-focused initiatives, and improved business performance at one of Africa’s largest electricity distribution companies.
Her leadership has consistently focused on operational efficiency, accountability, sustainable value creation, effective stakeholder management, and delivering results in complex operating environments.
