Saadi Saihood
CEO & Chairman of Raban Al-Safina (RAS) Group
Mr. Saadi Saihood is a prominent Iraqi business leader and philanthropist. He is probably best known as the CEO and chairman of Raban Al-Safina (RAS) Group. He is also the Founding Father and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of the American University of Iraq – Baghdad, a leading Middle Eastern institution of higher education.
Saadi Saihood
CEO & Chairman of RAS Group
Entrepreneur · Philanthropist
Early Life & Career
Born in 1954 in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, Mr. Saihood’s life story is rooted in relatively humble beginnings. After he graduated in 1977 with a higher diploma from the Institute of Administration in Baghdad, he assumed a modest administrative role. Over the years, he steadily rose through the ranks, building an extensive network of professional contacts, amassing a wealth of experience, and forging relationships with both local and international entities. Founding RAS Group in the 1990s, Mr. Saihood had one clear objective in mind: to rebuild Iraq with Iraqi hands.
RAS Group
Under Mr. Saihood’s visionary leadership, RAS Group extended its reach considerably over the years, venturing into a variety of different industries. In growing his corporate empire, he had one clear vision in mind: to address the nation’s energy, infrastructure, and security needs. Leveraging his experience in dealing with global organizations and governmental administrations, Mr. Saihood navigated an economic landscape fraught with challenges, growing his businesses, pioneering an array of industries, and redefining the notion of national entrepreneurship. First and foremost in all RAS Group’s strategies and operations was the notion that the company represented more than merely a financial investment; rather, it was a driving force in building a secure and prosperous Iraq.
RAS Group Expansion
RAS Group has gone from strength to strength under Mr. Saihood’s leadership, today comprising 38 separate commercial entities operating in a diverse assortment of industries. The Group has established itself as a leading independent power producer through the construction of two state-of-the-art power plants. Moreover, RAS Group’s subsidiaries include a heavy engineering fabrication workshop and a leading manufacturer of power distribution substations and components under the license of Siemens Energy. RAS Group also has interests in logistics and life support capabilities, professional security services, IT infrastructure and AI solutions, education, food and beverage, and real estate development.
Empowering Iraq’s Future
As true sons of Iraq, Mr. Saihood and his family are dedicated to supporting the renaissance of their country. Beyond developing Iraq’s vital infrastructure, Mr. Saihood recognizes the need to prepare human capital to lead through the 21st century. To date, RAS Group has created over 4,000 jobs, providing young Iraqis with the infrastructure, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive in the modern world.
