Dr. Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun

Chairperson of the United Africa Group

Dr. Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun, is the Chairperson of the United Africa Group, a privately owned multi-billion-dollar business conglomerate in Namibia that has been in operation since 1992.

The inauguration of the Hilton Windhoek, the first five-star Hotel in Namibia, and the 1990- Freedom Plaza  Mixed Used Property Development in the CBD of Windhoek, is her latest development. Her passion and determination to succeed has been the engine that has driven her through seemingly impossible situations to become the Chairperson of over 42 highly diversified subsidiaries of her company. While the Hospitality portfolio is the pinnacle of her business, financial services, property development, as well as energy development are ventures that the group has also pursued with success.

Martha attributes her success not only to her determination to succeed but also to her ability to positively harness diversity for the benefit of her companies and the people she works with. Martha’s tenacity and resilient attributes were inherited from her late father who instilled in her the drive to take risks as a tool to break walls of failure.  Martha is married to her friend and business partner, Haddis Tilahun an entrepreneur in his own right, together they have three children.

Martha obtained a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of California Berkley, USA; a Master of Business Administration from the University of California, Santa Clara, California, USA and Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Management from St. Paul’s College, Lawrenceville Virginia, USA. 

After completing her studies in the USA, Martha was employed at IBM but resigned shortly after and opened a shop selling African artefacts in San Jose, California. With Martha’s natural talent and appreciation for beauty and décor, the Californian business continues to grow. In addition to her involvement in the running of the Untied Africa Group, Martha holds the positions of Chairperson, Director and Board member in a number of reputable business organizations such as:

• Protea Hotels Namibia a division of the United Africa Group (Pty) Ltd;
• Owner of the Hilton Windhoek;
• Chairperson of MEATCO Board;
• President of Tullow Oil Namibia;
• Chairperson of the Namibian Business Board of Advisors;
• Commissioner of the National Commission on Research Science & Technology
• Served as Board Member of Standard Bank Namibia;
• Served as Board member Alstom Namibia;
• Served as Member of the central committee of Swapo;
• Served as President of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce;
• Served as Chairperson of the SADC Chamber of Commerce;
• Served as President of AREVA Resources Namibia;

And many others such as Diamond Company of Namibia, Board of Trustees of Namibia Business School and Hope Village-an initiative that extends HOPE to HIV/AIDS victims.  Mrs. Martha is also a patron to various schools such as Ehafo Secondary School and Onependapaulo Secondary School.

Martha’s focus is to pull together and leverage the strengths of large and small businesses both nationally and regionally. Her heart for people has given her a name in philanthropic activities in Namibia. Donations, education grants and the administration of pension grants have been part of her contributions to the society.

Martha has been a motivational speaker at many conferences held for women where she has encouraged them to recognize and accept that their characteristic differences with men are real and can be used to create and foster effective leadership. Martha’s mantra is “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”

In November 2015, Martha was conferred with a Doctorate Degree Honoris Causa in Business Administration from the University of Namibia, as a tribute to her contribution to the economy of Namibia and thereafter founded the Dr. Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun foundation aimed at nurturing the African Girl Child to be a key architect of society and a cradle of hope.   entrepreneurial skills and providing continuous mentorship in the various aspects of a young lady’s life.