Sahara Group advances downstream business with strategic leadership appointments

Cynthia Ezekwe

Sahara Group, an international energy and infrastructure conglomerate has announced a series of strategic appointments aimed at advancing the expansion of the group’s downstream business in Africa. 

According to a statement from the company, the group appointed Foluso Sobanjo as the company’s head, Africa downstream while Yaa Serwaa Alifo was  appointed head, Sahara downstream in Ghana. 

The international energy company also appointed Nomnso Dike as CEO of Sahara Group Nigerian subsidiary, Asharami Synergy Limited, while Yvette Selormey was  appointed country manager of Sahara Group Zambian subsidiary, Asharami Energy Resources Limited. 

Commenting on his appointment, Nomnso Dike, CEO of the company’s Nigerian downstream subsidiary,  said, “With over eighteen years of experience as a finance and business development professional and having worked in different capacities in Sahara Group, this new phase of growth will certainly produce a new level of service excellence and smart solutions.”

The  African Energy Chamber (AEC), representing the voice of the African energy sector,  commends the efforts by Sahara Group to not only strengthen its downstream operations but build a leadership team that is committed to alleviating energy poverty in Africa. The appointments signal a new era of company growth and the AEC looks forward to seeing new projects and infrastructure developed by Sahara Group.

“Sahara Group has built a team that is deeply rooted in the industry and Africa – but not limited to it. The recent slate of appointments underscores the group’s commitment to improving operational efficiency and delivering both successful and sustainable projects. The AEC commends the leadership of Sahara Group and looks forward to witnessing the company grow from strength to strength,” stated NJ Ayuk, executive chairman of the AEC.

As one of Africa’s largest private power businesses, Sahara Group has made great strides towards developing downstream infrastructure in Africa. The company operates a number of power generation and distribution assets in sub-Saharan Africa, facilitating trade and energy distribution and supporting economic growth. 

The group has over 1,861 MW of installed power generation capacity and aims to expand its generation capacity to over 5,000 MW by 2026. In 2024, the group installed 15 wind turbines at the Egbin Power Plant in Nigeria. The turbines will not only improve power supply but reduce emissions across the generation industry. In 2023, the group installed 24 solar panels and 24 batteries at an orphanage in Senegal;

Through its various subsidiaries, Sahara Group also promotes the adoption of sustainable oil and gas solutions to meet Africa’s energy needs. Through Asharami Synergy PLC, the group has gained over two decades of expertise in the downstream industry and has emerged as a top aviation fuel supplier in West Africa. The company is responsible for 24 percent of Nigeria’s aviation fuel supply and a sizable share of the country’s premium motor spirit demand.