Sahara Group has appointed Folake Soetan as Managing Director of Arahas Global Oilfield Services. The appointment takes effect July 1, 2026. It forms part of the company’s “Beyond XXX” agenda to grow its impact across Africa’s energy sector.
The company announced the news in a statement from its Corporate Communications Department.
Company Statement
Executive Director Adedeji Odunsi called the appointment a reflection of Sahara Group’s long-term commitment to strong leadership. “Our focus is on building future-ready platforms anchored on strong leadership, clear strategy, and disciplined execution,” he said. “Folake’s appointment reflects our commitment to empowering leaders who can translate ambition into measurable outcomes across our energy ecosystem.”
Her New Role
Soetan now leads Arahas, Sahara Group’s integrated oilfield services business. She takes over at a key moment. The company wants to change how it delivers oilfield services across the value chain. It plans to focus on innovation, efficiency, and sustainability.
In her new role, Soetan will build Arahas’ mission into daily operations. She’ll push the company to deliver high-impact, value-driven solutions for partners and stakeholders. She’ll also work to position Arahas as a globally competitive platform rooted in African expertise. Additionally, she’ll drive efficiencies that optimize production, extend asset life, and improve reliability across the energy lifecycle.
Added Power Sector Duties
Beyond Arahas, Soetan’s responsibilities will also extend into Sahara Power Group. There, she’ll draw on her power sector background to strengthen performance and coordination. According to Odunsi, this dual mandate shows Sahara Group’s deliberate push to unite its upstream and power businesses. “This dual responsibility signals Sahara’s deliberate effort to create stronger integration across its upstream and power value chains,” he explained. “It will unlock synergies that enable a more cohesive, efficient, and sustainable approach to energy delivery across the continent.”
Soetan Speaks on Appointment
Soetan previously served as CEO of Ikeja Electric, one of Africa’s largest electricity distribution companies. She expressed excitement about her new challenge. “Arahas represents a bold and timely opportunity to redefine how oilfield services are delivered across Africa,” she said. “I’m excited to work with the team to build a high-performance platform that strengthens our Beyond XXX agenda and shapes a more resilient energy landscape for the continent.”
Her Career So Far
Soetan brings extensive experience from Nigeria and Ghana’s energy sector. She has held leadership roles in midstream, downstream, power, and airline industries. However, this marks her first move into upstream services.
At Ikeja Electric, she drove major operational and organizational improvements. She also strengthened customer-centric initiatives and steered the company through a period of intense performance focus. Throughout her tenure, she emphasized efficiency, accountability, and sustainable value creation. Moreover, she managed regulatory complexity and diverse stakeholder interests with consistent results.
