President Faye Commends Sahara’s Commitment to Senegal’s Energy Security

President of the Republic of Senegal, H.E. Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has commended Sahara for its longstanding commitment to Senegal and the Société Africaine de Raffinage (SAR), describing the company as a trusted partner in the country’s energy sector.

The President made the remarks while receiving a Sahara delegation led by Wale Ajibade, Executive Director, Sahara, alongside Mamadou Abib Diop, Managing Director of SAR, at the Presidential Palace in Dakar.

President Faye acknowledged Sahara’s passion for Africa, its Pan-African outlook, and its consistent support for Senegal’s energy aspirations over the years through Sahara’s longstanding relationship with SAR.

“We appreciate Sahara’s dynamism, flexibility and constructive partnership with SAR, particularly its support in helping secure the country’s energy requirements amid challenging global market conditions,” President Faye added.

Responding, Ajibade reaffirmed Sahara’s commitment to supporting Senegal’s energy security and economic development.

 

PHOTO CAPTION (L-R): Executive Director, Sahara, Wale Ajibade, and President of the Republic of Senegal, H.E. Bassirou Diomaye Faye at the Presidential Palace in Dakar, Senegal

“Senegal has been an important partner for Sahara over the years, and we remain committed to deploying our expertise, infrastructure, financing capabilities, and operational experience in ways that support the country’s energy ambitions. We are encouraged by the progress being made and look forward to deepening our partnership with SAR and other stakeholders across the energy value chain,” he said.

Ajibade noted that Sahara’s engagement in Senegal extends beyond its shareholding in SAR and reflects the company’s broader commitment to advancing energy access, industrial development, and sustainable economic growth across Africa.

SAR Managing Director Mamadou Abib Diop, described Sahara as a reliable, long-term partner that has made significant investments in Senegal and continues to play an important role in supporting the country’s energy sector.

“Sahara Energy has invested significantly in Senegal over the years and remains a major and reliable partner. We are focused on strengthening our collaboration with Sahara to provide Senegal with greater flexibility in addressing the needs of the energy sector.”

Diop highlighted Sahara’s support for SAR’s crude oil supply requirements and noted that the company has consistently demonstrated its willingness to work alongside Senegalese stakeholders to help navigate prevailing market challenges.

The meeting further reinforced the strong partnership between Senegal, SAR, and Sahara, as all parties continue to pursue practical solutions that enhance energy security, strengthen supply reliability, and support the country’s long-term economic development.

12MW Independent Power Plant to Enhance Electricity Supply Across Ogba, Acme Road, Wemco Road and Environs

Sahara Power Enterprise Group (SPEG), Africa’s largest private power business, has commenced construction of a 12MW Independent Power Plant (IPP) at the Ogba Undertaking of Ikeja Electric Plc, Lagos, reinforcing efforts to strengthen electricity infrastructure and improve power supply reliability.

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Sahara Group Drives Africa’s Energy Future with Asharami Square 3.0

Sahara Group will host the third edition of Asharami Square, its flagship thought leadership platform, convening policymakers, industry leaders, investors, academia, and media professionals to advance practical solutions for Africa’s evolving energy landscape.

Scheduled for Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, this year’s edition is themed “Energising Africa’s Future: Legacy, Impact, and Transformation.” The platform will spotlight the ideas, partnerships, and policy frameworks required to accelerate sustainable energy development across the continent.

Building on the success of previous editions, Asharami Square 3.0 will examine how collaboration across government, industry, finance, and the media can unlock investment, strengthen infrastructure, and expand access while supporting Africa’s energy transition.

According to Bethel Obioma, Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, the platform reflects Sahara Group’s commitment to driving impactful conversations that translate into real outcomes.

“Africa’s energy future will be shaped by the strength of our partnerships and our ability to turn dialogue into action. Asharami Square continues to provide a platform for convening diverse perspectives, advancing informed discourse, and driving the decisions that will influence policy, investment, and long-term development across the continent.
As we look Beyond XXX, our focus remains on investing in the ideas, partnerships, and platforms that will help shape a sustainable energy future for Africa.”

Also speaking, Ejiro Gray, Director, Governance and Sustainability, Sahara Group, emphasised the importance of grounding energy conversations in context and practical realities.

“Africa’s energy transition must be defined by solutions that reflect our unique realities. Asharami Square plays a critical role in bridging technical expertise and public understanding, ensuring that conversations around energy, sustainability, and development are anchored in evidence, context, and impact.
Through initiatives like Asharami Square, we continue to advance our Beyond XXX philosophy by supporting credible dialogue and strengthening the ecosystems that drive sustainable progress.”

The event will feature a keynote address by Sadiq Wanka, Special Adviser to the President of Nigeria on Power Infrastructure, alongside a high-level panel including Professor Abigail Ndisika, Director, Institute of Continuing Education (ICE), University of Lagos; Temitope George, CEO, Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC); Adebiyi Olusolape, Associate Editor, Africa, Argus Media; and Kemi Awodein, Managing Director, Investment Banking, Chapel Hill Denham.

A key highlight of this year’s programme will be the unveiling of the Asharami Square Energy Reporting Fellowship Judging Panel, reinforcing Sahara Group’s commitment to strengthening credible, solutions-focused journalism that deepens public understanding of Africa’s energy transition.

Since its maiden edition in 2024, Asharami Square has facilitated informed dialogue and effective media advocacy to enhance energy transition and sustainability in Africa. Through the platform and the newly launched Asharami Energy Reporting Fellowship, Sahara Group continues to advance its Beyond XXX vision by investing in the ideas, people, and platforms that will help shape Africa’s energy future, while reinforcing its commitment to bringing energy to life responsibly.

Asharami Energy Hits 6 Million LTI-Free Man-Hours, Advancing Goal Zero Safety Culture

Asharami Energy Limited (AEL), Sahara’s upstream Exploration and Production business, through its subsidiary, Enageed Resources Limited (ERL), has achieved 6 million Lost Time Injury (LTI)-free man-hours in its OML-148 operations, reinforcing its commitment to operational excellence and safety leadership as Sahara Upstream targets 350,000 barrels of oil per day by 2030.

LTI is a key indicator for workplace injuries that result in time away from work. The milestone reflects Asharami Energy’s ability to execute complex operations safely, in line with Sahara’s Beyond XXX vision, which builds on its 30-year legacy of responsible enterprise while marking its next chapter of impact, innovation, and sustainable growth.

 Leste Aihevba, Chief Technical Officer, Asharami Energy, said: “Operational excellence begins with protecting our people, stakeholders, and communities. As we advance towards producing 350,000 barrels of oil per day, this culture will remain fundamental to how we safely deliver projects, increase production, and bring energy to life responsibly.”

 He added: “Each LTI-free man-hour represents thousands of safe decisions, disciplined actions, and shared accountability in pursuit of our Goal Zero safety culture. That culture will continue to guide our journey as we unlock new growth opportunities. Zero is Possible.”

Representing the PSC partners, Nigerian Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Vincent Uwadileke, Asset Manager PSC Asset B, congratulated ERL, describing the achievement as a testament to discipline, vigilance, and HSSE excellence. He urged the team to build on the milestone and strive towards 7 million LTI-free man-hours next year.

Ade Odunsi, Executive Director, Sahara Upstream, described the achievement as proof of Sahara’s safety-first transformation agenda. “At Sahara, sustainable growth can only be achieved when safety is embedded in every decision, process, and operation. Reaching 6 million LTI-free man-hours demonstrates the strength of our safety culture and operational discipline.”

Odunsi commended employees, contractors, regulators, host communities, and partners. “This didn’t happen by accident; it happened because every single day, people chose to do things the right and safer way. That must remain our standard because everything else is built on safety,” he added.

 The event featured the unveiling of the Six Million Man-Hours LTI-Free Safety Plaque, led by Temitope Shonubi, Adedeji Odunsi and Moroti Adedoyin-Adeyinka, Executive Directors of Sahara, alongside NUIMS representatives Vincent Uwadileke and Jeffery Jaiyeola, Deputy Asset Manager (Technical) PSC Asset B, and Leste Aihevba.

 Shonubi said: “The upstream business is unique. As you take out, you have less left, which is why our responsibility is not just to produce, but to do so safely and sustainably. We must move from technical production to being techno-commercial, ensuring every investment creates sustainable value and is executed using HSSE best practices. The better days must always be ahead.”

 Bethel Obioma, Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara, highlighted communication’s role in sustaining safety culture. “Safety becomes truly impactful when it is understood, embraced, and practiced by everyone. At Sahara, consistent communication keeps safety top of mind, reinforces accountability, and helps transform safety from a requirement into a shared responsibility.”

The milestone reinforces Asharami Energy’s position as a responsible energy partner and Sahara’s commitment to safe, sustainable operations, with safety remaining a defining pillar of the Sahara’s Beyond XXX vision.

Sahara Group Advances Energy Journalism in Africa with $5000 Fellowship

Sahara Group, a leading international energy and infrastructure conglomerate, has unveiled the Asharami Square Energy Reporting Fellowship, committing up to $5,000 in funding, mentorship, and expert-led engagement to elevate energy journalism across Africa.

The Fellowship is an extension of Asharami Square, Sahara Group’s flagship thought leadership platform, now in its third edition, focused on sustainability and energy transition. Themed “Energising Africa’s Energy Future: Legacy, Impact, and Transformation,” this year’s event will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, academia, and the media on July 22, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria.

The Asharami Energy Reporting Fellowship reflects Sahara Group’s evolution from convening conversations to strengthening the narratives defining Africa’s energy future. Guided by the theme, “Telling Africa’s Energy Story. Shaping Solutions,” it advances solutions-driven reporting on infrastructure gaps, financing, policy trade-offs, and community impact.\

 

Photo Caption (L-R): Bethel Obioma, Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group; Lauretta Eguabor, Governance and Sustainability Executive, Sahara Group; Ejiro Gray, Director, Governance and Sustainability, Sahara Group; Treasure Etokakpan, Corporate Comms Analyst, Sahara Group; Tejumade Tejuoso,  Governance and Sustainability Manager, Sahara Group; and Bashir Umar, Sustainability Analyst, Sahara Group at the press conference unveiling the Asharami Square Energy Reporting Fellowship in Lagos.

Ejiro Gray, Director, Governance and Sustainability at Sahara Group, said the initiative is focused on strengthening the quality of discourse around energy on the continent. “As the energy landscape becomes more complex, the need for accurate, contextual, and impactful reporting becomes even more critical. This Fellowship is designed to support journalists in telling stories that go beyond headlines and uncover the real dynamics shaping Africa’s energy future,” she said.

Bethel Obioma, Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, said the Fellowship extends Asharami Square’s long-standing focus on shaping narratives. “At Sahara Group, we believe storytelling is a powerful driver of progress. With the Fellowship, we are going a step further to support the storytellers themselves, enabling a new wave of galvanising journalists across Africa to unearth untold energy stories, spotlight practical solutions, and contribute meaningfully to the continent’s energy future,” he said.

“To participate, journalists from across Africa, spanning print, electronic, and digital media, are invited to submit well-researched stories via the Fellowships’ portal, www.asharamisquarefellowship.com,” Obioma added.

Entries must be stories published or broadcast between January and October 30, 2026, and should be original, insightful, and accurate. Submissions must align with the Fellowship’s focus on uncovering underreported energy issues and advancing practical, forward-looking solutions for Africa’s energy future.

An independent jury comprising experts in energy journalism and sustainable development will assess entries. The Fellowship offers up to $5,000 in funding, combining financial support, immersive learning, mentorship, and high-level exposure to build capacity for shaping Africa’s energy narrative.

Sahara Group Advances Energy Access in Africa with $50,000 Asharami M.A.D Equation

Sahara Group has announced the Asharami M.A.D Equation, a $50,000 innovation programme designed to advance Africa’s energy transition by turning research into scalable solutions that expand energy access, strengthen system resilience, and drive sustainable development across Africa.

The initiative, “Asharami M.A.D Equation: Solving for Sahara Beyond XXX”, addresses a critical challenge within Africa’s innovation ecosystem, where groundbreaking academic research often remains confined to journals without transitioning into practical industry application. By connecting African researchers directly with real operational challenges across the energy value chain, Sahara Group is creating a pathway for ideas to move beyond theory into impactful execution at scale.

Ejiro Gray, Director, Governance and Sustainability, Sahara Group, noted that Africa’s energy future will increasingly depend on the continent’s ability to convert knowledge into action. She explained that the Asharami M.A.D Equation is intentionally designed to unlock the immense potential within Africa’s academic and research communities by linking innovation to industry needs.

“The platform will empower a new generation of solution-driven thinkers capable of delivering practical interventions that improve energy reliability, expand access, and support sustainability goals across the continent,” she added.

Open to innovators across Africa, particularly those at postgraduate and advanced research levels,  the programme prioritises ideas that demonstrate analytical depth, practical applicability, scalability, and alignment with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) priorities.

According to Bethel Obioma, Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, the Asharami M.A.D Equation goes beyond funding to create real impact. He noted that the initiative is a deliberate investment in African ingenuity, “one that empowers scholars and innovators to translate their work into solutions that strengthen energy systems, improve livelihoods, and drive inclusive growth.”

Participants will compete for a total prize pool of $50,000, with $25,000 awarded to the winner, $15,000 for second place, and $10,000 for third place, alongside access to mentorship, technical support, and opportunities for real-world implementation within Sahara Group’s operations. Details of eligibility and joining information are available on www.asharamimadequation.com, and applications close on June 20, 2026.

The programme will focus on addressing critical challenges across the oil, gas, and power sectors, including digitalisation of upstream operations, predictive maintenance, power reliability, and grid optimisation, areas considered essential to strengthening Africa’s energy systems and delivering sustainable, long-term value.

Sahara Group’s Mauritania Bunkering Operations Boost Africa’s Maritime Trade Corridor

Sahara Group has commenced bunkering operations in Mauritania following the award of a 2026 bunkering licence by the Government of Mauritania, marking a significant step in strengthening the country’s position as a strategic maritime and trade hub along the West African coast.

 As part of the launch, Sahara has chartered the FT NERVI, a 7,600 DWT bunker tanker, fully equipped and currently positioned offshore Nouadhibou, enabling the immediate supply of ISO 8217:2022 Marine Gasoil (MGO) and 0.50% Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) to international and regional vessels operating in Mauritanian waters.

 The commencement of operations underscores Sahara’s broader strategy of deploying integrated midstream infrastructure, maritime assets, and trading expertise to support Africa’s growing energy and trade ecosystems.

 “This development is significant for Mauritania and for Africa’s maritime economy,” said Wale Ajibade, Executive Director, Sahara Group.

 “By establishing operational bunkering capacity in Mauritania, we are supporting port competitiveness, improving vessel turnaround efficiency, and strengthening the infrastructure that enables regional and international trade,” he added.

 For Mauritania, the operation enhances the attractiveness of its ports as reliable service points for shipping and offshore activity along the Atlantic corridor, supporting increased vessel traffic, associated services, and deeper participation in global trade flows.

 For Africa, Sahara’s entry into the Mauritanian bunkering market strengthens the interconnection of the continent’s maritime supply chains, helping vessels operating across West and North‑West Africa access compliant fuels closer to trading routes, while improving logistics resilience and efficiency.

 Ajibade said the availability of ISO 8217:2022‑compliant fuels reflects Sahara’s commitment to internationally recognised marine fuel standards that prioritise quality, safety, and environmental performance.

 In addition, the supply of 0.50% Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) supports the shipping industry’s transition toward lower‑emission operations in line with IMO sulphur regulations, helping to balance trade growth with environmental responsibility across Africa’s maritime corridors.

 Sahara’s Mauritania bunkering launch builds on the Group’s established footprint in the maritime and midstream space, including its deployment of LPG vessels supporting energy access and cleaner‑cooking initiatives across multiple African markets.

 Through these operations, Sahara has strengthened coastal supply chains, advanced marine‑based distribution systems, and demonstrated a track record of safe, reliable maritime logistics.

 “Our experience operating LPG vessels and other maritime assets across Africa gives us a deep understanding of what it takes to run safe, reliable, and responsive marine operations,” Ajibade added, also noting that Sahara would bring its operational discipline to Mauritania, “leveraging vessels, people, and systems that are already proven across the continent.”

 The Mauritania operation aligns with Sahara Beyond XXX, the Group’s long‑term narrative focused on investing in infrastructure and platforms that go beyond transactions to enable mobility, trade, and sustainable growth across Africa and beyond.

Asharami Synergy Deepens Aviation Fuelling Leadership Through Global Partnerships at IATA Energy Forum

Asharami Synergy, a Sahara Group downstream company, showcased Africa’s evolving aviation fuelling leadership at the IATA Aviation Energy Forum in Paris through bold technology partnerships and strategic global engagements.

As Africa’s aviation sector scales, driven by demand for efficiency, resilience, and sustainability, Asharami Synergy is advancing aviation fuelling through infrastructure modernization, digital visibility, and precision systems. These efforts align with Sahara Group’s Beyond XXX vision to drive transformative growth, enable seamless energy solutions, and build resilient industries across markets.

Speaking during the forum, Nomnso Dike, Chief Executive Officer,  Asharami Synergy, said the company is focused on shaping the next phase of aviation fuelling excellence across Africa.

“The future of aviation fuelling will be defined by technology, transparency, operational agility, and sustainability. We are building capabilities that not only meet today’s operational demands but also help define the next phase of aviation fuelling across Africa,” he said.

With the largest aviation fuel supply footprint in Nigeria and a growing African presence, Asharami Synergy continues to strengthen industry confidence through sustained infrastructure and systems investment. The company operates over 20 aviation bowsers, supported by globally aligned maintenance frameworks that underpin safety, efficiency, and reliability.

Recent investments include Automated Tank Gauging (ATG) systems for real-time inventory tracking and fuelling precision, alongside digital fuelling technologies that enhance transparency, accountability, and invoicing efficiency.

Asharami Synergy also advanced engagements with global aviation technology and infrastructure partners, including i6 Group, to deepen capabilities in fuelling automation, operational visibility, and evolving global standards.

Highlighting the company’s supply track record, Chief Operating Officer Adekanmi Adesola said, “Reliability is central to aviation operations. Through disciplined planning, strong partnerships, and sustained investment, we continue to deliver seamless, safe, and innovative aviation fuel supply across our markets, with the utmost regard for environmental sustainability.”

Asharami Synergy’s IATA engagements reinforce its role in strengthening Africa’s aviation growth story and delivering safer, smarter, and more efficient fuelling operations across Africa.