Meet Samuel Tafesse, Ethiopian multi-millionaire behind Africa’s first Marriott hotel

Samuel Tafesse, founder of Sunshine Investment Group, has emerged as one of Ethiopia’s most influential property developers after spearheading the development of the continent’s first Marriott-branded property in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Addis Ababa–based entrepreneur partnered with Marriott International in 2015 to develop the Marriott Executive Apartments Addis Ababa, a landmark project that signaled Ethiopia’s growing integration into global tourism and business travel markets.

From street trader to construction magnate
Born in the Cherkos Sefer neighborhood of Addis Ababa, Tafesse began working at 14, supporting his family by selling small goods while taking odd jobs around the city. After briefly studying engineering at Addis Ababa University, he left school due to financial pressure and entered the construction sector, where he saw greater opportunity.

In the mid-1980s, Tafesse founded Sunshine Construction, the company that later evolved into Sunshine Investment Group. Starting with a small maintenance contract at the Wabe Shebelle Hotel, the firm steadily expanded into one of Ethiopia’s largest locally owned construction businesses.

Over the decades, Sunshine has built more than 5,000 residential and commercial properties, delivered major infrastructure projects and constructed thousands of kilometers of roads across the country.

A landmark hospitality partnership
Tafesse’s partnership with Marriott marked a milestone for Ethiopia’s hospitality industry. Located near Meskel Square, the Marriott Executive Apartments complex features more than 100 luxury suites designed for diplomats, expatriates and international business travelers.

The project established one of the earliest large-scale collaborations between a global hotel operator and a local Ethiopian developer, setting a precedent for international investment in the country’s hospitality sector.

Expanding into global hospitality and energy
Following the Marriott development, Sunshine Investment Group expanded partnerships with major hotel operators including Hilton Worldwide. The company is also exploring renewable energy investments, including plans for a 100-megawatt solar power project to support Ethiopia’s growing electricity demand.

Beyond business, Tafesse established the Sunshine Foundation, which funds schools and educational programs for disadvantaged children, supporting more than 1,200 students from low-income families.

With a diversified portfolio spanning construction, real estate, hospitality and infrastructure, Tafesse has become a key figure shaping Ethiopia’s modern urban landscape and private-sector growth.