Sven Thieme: Top executive leading Namibia’s largest private group, Ohlthaver & List

Namibian businessman Sven Thieme leads one of the country’s largest privately held groups with a steady hand shaped by family history and years in finance.

As chairman and chief executive officer of Ohlthaver & List, he oversees a diversified conglomerate with interests spanning food production, beverages, and hospitality across Namibia’s economy.

With more than three decades of purpose-driven leadership, Thieme approaches the role with a strong sense of personal responsibility. A grandson of Werner List and descendant of Carl List, both key figures in the group’s early development, he represents the third generation at the helm, tasked with safeguarding the company’s legacy while steering it through a shifting market landscape.

A career shaped by finance and return home 

Thieme’s path into the family business began abroad. He studied at Deutsche Höhere Privatschule in Windhoek before earning his German Abitur in 1987. He went on to train as an auditor at the University of Cape Town and completed his articles with Deloitte & Touche in South Africa. 

He later worked in Luxembourg with the same firm between 1994 and 1998, gaining international experience in accounting and corporate structures. When he returned to Namibia, he joined Ohlthaver & List as general manager. 

In October 2001, he became joint managing director alongside Werner List. Within months, he stepped into the role of chief executive and was elected chairman of the board in April 2002 after his grandfather’s death. Since then, he has led the group through expansion and restructuring, while maintaining its position as a key private-sector employer.

O& L Group expanding partnerships and local impact 

Under Thieme, the group has built ties with global companies, including Heineken and Diageo. One of the most notable shifts came in 2023, when Heineken acquired full control of Namibia Breweries’ holding company, buying the stake previously held by Ohlthaver & List. 

Beyond beverages, the company has broadened its footprint across industries. Its businesses now span retail, farming, fishing, property, information technology and leisure. O&L’s operations today include brands and subsidiaries such as Namibia Dairies, Hartlief, Hangana Seafood, Pick n Pay Namibia, Kraatz Marine, O&L Leisure, and Cleanergy Solutions Namibia.

Recent moves in tourism include the acquisition of properties such as Le Mirage in the Sossusvlei area and Divava on the Okavango River, adding to its hospitality portfolio. 

The group has also invested in energy. Through Cleanergy Solutions Namibia, it launched what it describes as Africa’s first integrated green hydrogen production and refuelling facility, positioning Namibia within a growing global market for cleaner energy. 

Other subsidiaries, such as Organic Energy Solutions, have reached international certification standards, reflecting a push toward more sustainable operations.

Thieme capacity building, accountability leadership focus

Thieme has held several roles outside the group, including chairing Namibia Breweries Limited, the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation and the Windhoek Country Club Resort. He also contributed to the establishment of the Development Bank of Namibia in 2004. 

His approach to leadership centers on building local capacity and supporting institutions. That focus is reflected in corporate social efforts, including a N$500,000 ($30.400) donation earlier this year to the oncology department of Windhoek Central Hospital to support cancer care and awareness.

In retail, Ohlthaver & List (O&L) opened its flagship Model Auas Valley, a milestone development in Namibia’s shopping landscape. The project signals a broader rollout of modern retail spaces across the country in the coming years.

O&L Group: A century-old business with new targets 

Founded in 1919 by Carl List and Herman Ohlthaver. Karl Werner List, son of founder Carl List, took full control of the business after his father’s death in 1959. He served as chairman until his death in April 2002, when his grandson, Sven Thieme, succeeded him.

Ohlthaver & List has grown from a trading partnership into a diversified group with 14 subsidiaries across eight sectors. It employs about 5,560 people and contributes roughly 2% to Namibia’s gross domestic product. The company has also invested about N$248 million ($15 million) locally, underscoring its role in the domestic economy. 

Today, Ohlthaver & List generates annual revenue of nearly N$5 billion ($302.7 million), making it one of Namibia’s largest private contributors to the economy. Its operations continue to evolve, but its base remains firmly local, with headquarters in Windhoek. 

Looking ahead, the group’s Vision 2029 outlines a set of financial and workplace targets. These include reaching N$2.5 billion ($151 million) in earnings before interest and tax, maintaining high internal culture scores and aiming for recognition among top global employers. 

For Thieme, balancing growth and continuity is key as he leads a century-old Namibian company in a developing market requiring careful decisions. He says the firm is part of the country’s story, linking business success with national progress. His leadership emphasizes steady expansion, local investment, and long-term relevance in a changing economy.