Tope Shonubi’s Sahara Group eyes 350,000 barrel output with 7 new rigs

Sahara Group, led by Nigerian energy tycoon Tope Shonubi, is boosting its upstream operations with plans to raise crude oil production to 350,000 barrels per day within five years. The group has acquired seven new oil rigs to boost exploration and production across its assets in Nigeria.

Sahara Group targets 350,000-barrel output

Leste Aihevba, chief technical officer of Asharami Energy, Sahara Group’s upstream subsidiary, confirmed the development on the sidelines of the recent Africa Energy Week in Cape Town. He said the rigs will play a central role in helping the company meet its production target of 350,000 barrels of oil and 1 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day in Nigeria.

“This expansion marks a major step forward for Sahara Group,” Aihevba said. “Two of the seven new rigs are already in the country, with two more expected before the end of the year. Our upstream operations are built on shared prosperity — working with host communities and government partners to deliver energy responsibly.”

Sahara Group expands with new drilling rigs

Aihevba noted that one of the new rigs — a 2,000-horsepower land rig known as L-Buba — has already begun drilling a gas development well in one of Sahara’s fields. Another rig is being mobilized to drill an oil well, while the rest will follow soon. The rigs will be operated by Arahas Global Oilfield Services, a Sahara Group company.

He added that Sahara’s continued investment in infrastructure and people is already producing results. “By matching infrastructure spending with human capital development, technology adoption, and cross-border partnerships, we’re making measurable progress toward Africa’s energy transition,” Aihevba said.

Powering African homes, one energy deal at a time

Sahara’s latest push builds on previous investments, including the acquisition of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vessels to meet Africa’s energy needs. In 2023, the group spent $142 million to purchase two 40,000-cubic-meter LPG carriers, strengthening its capacity to deliver cleaner household energy across the continent.

The company’s downstream arm, Asharami Synergy, also expanded into East Africa this year by securing a contract to build a 30,000-metric-ton LPG terminal in Mombasa, Kenya. The 31-year public-private partnership with Kenya Petroleum Refineries Ltd. is expected to enhance LPG availability and affordability in the region.

In May 2025, Sahara Group deepened its collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to improve energy access nationwide. The landmark agreement between Shonubi and NNPC’s Group CEO Bayo Ojulari will drive the expansion of distribution networks and ensure reliable energy supply across Nigeria.

Sahara Group broadens energy, infrastructure reach

Founded in 1996 by Shonubi, Tonye Cole and Ade Odunsi, Sahara Group has grown from a petroleum trading firm into one of Africa’s fastest growing energy and infrastructure conglomerates. It operates in over 40 countries and employs more than 4,000 people.

Under Shonubi’s leadership, Sahara continues to invest heavily in oil production, gas development, power generation and logistics infrastructure further positioning itself as one of the few African-owned energy groups competing at a global scale.