Key Points
- Namibia’s richest people play a vital role in economic growth, driving industries such as retail, real estate, banking, and fishing through investments and job creation.
- Frans Indongo leads the wealthiest Namibians with a $150 million net worth, overseeing major sectors like retail, agriculture, and real estate through the Frans Indongo Group.
- Key business leaders, including Koos Brandt, Sven Thieme, and Quinton van Rooyen, are expanding Namibia’s economic influence across Southern Africa and beyond.
Namibia, one of Southern Africa’s most stable economies, has effectively harnessed its mineral wealth and private sector growth to drive meaningful progress. Key entrepreneurs, financiers, and industrialists play an integral role in this transformation, fueling industries and helping shape the region’s future.
The seven wealthiest Namibians have a combined net worth of $347 million, spearheading the nation’s growth through investments, job creation, and infrastructure development. Fransisco Aupa Indongo, with a net worth of $150 million, leads the group. His Frans Indongo Group is a major force in retail, real estate, automotive, and agriculture. As one of Southern Africa’s largest black-owned businesses, it has helped shape Windhoek’s skyline, supported regional supply chains, and provided employment to over 1,200 people.
Koos Brandt, with a fortune of $60 million, stands as a prominent figure in Namibia’s financial sector. As the founder of Capricorn Group, he transformed the banking landscape following liberalization, turning the NSX-listed company into a leading financier of SMEs, infrastructure, and government projects. His successor, Marthinus Prinsloo, is now expanding Capricorn’s presence into Botswana and Zambia.
Sven Thieme, CEO of Ohlthaver & List (O&L), is another key player, with a net worth of $70 million. O&L is Namibia’s largest private employer, with over 6,000 staff spread across sectors such as beverages, food, fishing, and property. The company’s regional reach includes well-known brands like Windhoek Lager and Hangana Seafood, aligning with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Quinton van Rooyen, with a net worth of $25 million, has built a diversified portfolio through Trustco, with interests spanning financial services, real estate, and resources. Trustco’s expansion into Angola and South Africa showcases Namibia’s growing economic influence. Christiaan Haikali, valued at $7.6 million, is known for his leadership in corporate governance and his commitment to financial inclusion, particularly through FirstRand Namibia and other financial institutions.
These business leaders are not just accumulating wealth but are laying the groundwork for Namibia’s continued economic growth and its expanding role in the region.
- Fransisco Aupa Indongo
Net Worth: $150 million | Age: 89 | Sector: Diversified
Fransisco Aupa Indongo is the founder and chairman of the Frans Indongo Group, one of Namibia’s largest privately held conglomerates with a diversified portfolio spanning retail, real estate, automotive, and agriculture. His entrepreneurial journey began in the late 1950s with a humble brick-making business, which he reinvested into tailoring and retail. This strategic reinvestment laid the foundation for his supermarket chain, which eventually grew into the expansive business empire he leads today. Indongo’s holdings include iconic Namibian assets such as Indongo Toyota, Frans Indongo Gardens, the Etango Complex, Select Service Gas Stations, and Farm Gelukwater. His investment arm, Continental Enterprises, extends into mining and fishing ventures, further diversifying his wealth. Additionally, his real estate interests span key Namibian cities including Windhoek, Swakopmund, Tsumeb, Walvis Bay, and Otjiwarongo, cementing his position as a central figure in Namibia’s economic landscape.
- Koos Brandt
Net Worth: $80 million | Age: 81 | Sector: Financial Services
Koos Brandt, born Jacobus Christiaan Brandt, is the founder and former chairman of Capricorn Group, one of Namibia’s largest and most influential financial services conglomerates. Since its establishment in 1982, the group has been a dominant force in the banking, insurance, and asset management sectors, with flagship brands like Bank Windhoek and Bank Gaborone. Although he stepped down as chairman in 2017, Brandt retains a significant 18.5 percent stake in the company, valued at over $105 million. Under Brandt’s leadership, Capricorn Group expanded across Southern Africa, with a presence in Botswana and Zambia. Through strategic investments in logistics, affordable housing, and more, Brandt has significantly shaped Namibia’s financial landscape. Today, he remains a prominent figure in Southern Africa’s business and philanthropic circles, continuing to influence Capricorn’s strategic direction.
- Sven Thieme
Net Worth: $70 million | Age: 57 | Sector: Diversified
Sven Thieme, the chairman and CEO of Ohlthaver & List Group, is at the helm of Namibia’s largest privately held company, with diversified operations across beverages, food production, fishing, property, and leisure. Taking over the reins of the family-run conglomerate in 2002, Thieme has transformed O&L into a regional powerhouse with a footprint across Southern Africa. Known for his forward-thinking approach, Thieme has championed sustainability and innovation initiatives within Namibia’s private sector. He was instrumental in establishing the Development Bank of Namibia in 2004 and served as president of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 2014. With a background in auditing, Thieme has earned recognition as one of Namibia’s most influential business leaders, known for his strategic foresight and commitment to corporate growth.
- Quinton van Rooyen
Net Worth: $25 million | Age: 59 | Sector: Financial Services
Quinton van Rooyen is the founder and executive chairman of Trustco Group Holdings, a Namibian investment holding company with a diverse portfolio that spans financial services, insurance, real estate, and the resource sector. Van Rooyen holds a 63.94 percent stake in Trustco. The company has expanded its reach both locally and internationally, with a significant presence in Namibia, the U.S., and other markets. Under his leadership, Trustco has pioneered innovative solutions in wealth management and property development while being listed on the Namibian Stock Exchange. His $25 million net worth reflects his dominant role in Namibia’s financial services industry, where he remains a key player.
- Christian Lilongeni Ranga Haikali
Net Worth: $10 million | Age: 56 | Sector: Financial Services
Christian Lilongeni Ranga Haikali is a prominent Namibian businessman, best known for his leadership in FirstRand Namibia and his role as president of the Namibia Football Association. Haikali holds a 1.18 percent stake in FirstRand Namibia, valued at approximately $7.6 million, positioning him as a key player in Namibia’s banking sector. He has also played a vital role in governance and corporate leadership across multiple sectors. In addition to his professional achievements, Haikali is a prominent figure in Namibian sports and civic development, making significant contributions to both the financial and societal fabric of Namibia.
- Rolf Mendelsohn
Net Worth: $7 million | Age: 43 | Sector: Telecommunications
Rolf Mendelsohn is the co-founder, CEO, and CTO of Paratus Namibia Holdings, one of Namibia’s leading telecommunications companies. Under his leadership, Paratus has expanded beyond Namibia, establishing itself as a pan-African connectivity player with operations in Angola, Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa. Mendelsohn holds a 12.53 percent stake in the publicly traded company, valued at $4.2 million. Mendelsohn’s background in engineering and innovation has been key to the company’s aggressive expansion strategy, which focuses on fiber networks, data centers, and international bandwidth capacity. As one of Namibia’s most prominent figures in the ICT sector, Mendelsohn continues to drive the country’s digital transformation.
- Gida Nakazibwe-Sekandi
Net Worth: $5 million | Age: 71 | Sector: Financial services
Gida Nakazibwe-Sekandi is a distinguished Namibian lawyer and corporate leader, known for her leadership role at Capricorn Investment Holdings. Sekandi held the position of executive director at the firm until her retirement in October 2024. She owns a 0.2 percent stake in Capricorn, currently valued at $0.89 million. In addition to her corporate career, Sekandi has been a key figure in communications, having founded the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (Namibia). Her extensive experience in governance and corporate law has made her an influential figure in Namibia’s financial and legal sectors.
